Masterworks await from quartet

CLASSICAL: The Faust Quartet, with New Zealander Simone Roggen as lead violinist, will be performing in Rotorua. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

One of the most promising young string quartets in Europe is coming to Rotorua.

The Faust Quartet, with New Zealander Simone Roggen as the lead violinist, will perform at the Concert Chamber, Rotorua Convention Centre, on September 10 at 7.30pm.

Founded in 1996, the quartet swept through the European competition circuit winning second prize in 2004 at the largest international classical music competition, held in Munich.

Since then, it has been developing an increasingly busy performance schedule around Europe.

The programme showcases masterworks from the heart of the string quartet repertoire.

Ushering in the set of three great string quartets Schubert wrote at the end of his life, Quartettsatz is a powerful movement that was originally intended to be the first movement of a full quartet.

While at school in New Zealand, Roggen was twice a New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest national winner.

In 2004, she left for study in Switzerland, then spent several years travelling around Europe as a soloist and chamber musician, playing in a variety of different ensembles.

The Faust Quartet will also perform at the Sydney Chamber Music Festival.

Tickets are available at the Concert Chamber desk from 7pm on the night, cash or cheque only. For more information visit www.chambermusic.co.nz.