Quatuor Ébène - Video

Bringing BBT’s 20th anniversary weekend at Wigmore Hall in June 2023 to a triumphant close, Quatuor Ébène returned to the stage to play its signature work, Ravel’s String Quartet in F, which was included on the quartet’s first BBT-supported CD release (originally on Virgin Classics, now Erato), way back in 2008. Second violinist Gabriel Le Magadure wrote about the quartet’s inclusion in the BBT20 weekend: “What a time we had all together for BBT’s anniversary !! It has been a memorable day/evening that we will all remember !! Thank you again so much for your trust and fidelity to us.”

Opening and closing the final concert in BBT’s 20th anniversary weekend at Wigmore Hall in June 2023, Quatuor Ébène ranged over four centuries. Here the quartet opened the concert with one of Henry Purcell’s Fantasias, which led straight into guitarist Sean Shibe playing a John Dowland Fantasia from a century earlier.

“Work, work, work. We practice like crazy people.”
“Give, give, give…create, create, create.”
A video profile of one of the foremost string quartets of their generation, filmed at Theatre Le Cadran, Briancon, February 2009. Including performances of Brahms, Ravel and Pulp Fiction.”

Chamber music is central to the ethos of Borletti-Buitoni Trust. For this reason it is fitting that BBT has supported Verbier Festival Academy since 2006.  Filmed in Verbier in July/August 2007, Heinrich Schiff (BBT Honorary Committee member) and Gábor Takács-Nagy (Professor of Chamber Music, Verbier Festival Academy) illustrate the role and importance of chamber music.  BBT Winners Jerusalem Quartet, Vilde Frang and Quatuor Ébène tell us the value of the festival and academy for them.

The Academy Quartet featured were Eduard Kunz piano, Vilde Frang violin, Barbara Buntrock viola, Leonard Elschenbroich cello.