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Hristo Dunev. Mahaliah Edwards. Eleanor Chapman. We are the Dunev Quartet, a string quartet formed in October 2017 at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Formation

Although we were “put” together by the head of chamber music, From early on, it was clear that as musicians we were completely on the same wavelength. All four of us immediately shared interest and excitement to play great chamber music and share it. What’s great is that individually, we all have quite different personalities which somehow manage to compliment each other. The unique situation of a string quartet is that it we spend a LOT of time together practising and then scheduling rehearsals as well as general planning and strategising and so we have become very close colleagues.

The quartet

Hristo is our very talented first violinist from Bulgaria. He has won a plethora of awards and is an avid photographer.

Me – I’m the second violinist of the quartet and…well if want to know more about me you can read my about me page on my blog!

Eleanor – is the viola player of the quartet. She’s from Lancashire, she’s a fab musician and also has the best fashion sense.

Alice – is from Cardiff and is without doubt the most organised student in the country. She keeps us all in check!

Since our formation, we have been fortunate to have regular coaching with Rose Redgrave and Robin Ireland. In addition, we have received coaching from Sini Simonen and Christopher Roberts of the Castalian Quartet; Jana Kuss and William Coleman of the Kuss Quartet, Oliver Heath and Krysia Osostowicz.

    Repertoire

Our current repertoire consists of Beethoven’s quartet no.10 op.74 aka “The Harp” and Haydn’s op.20 no. 5. Soon to come is Shostakovich’s 8th quartet. Past performances include November 2017 in the Recital hall at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, January 2018 at the Birmingham Central Library. Upcoming events include a performance of Beethoven op.18 No.5 in the Beethoven Marathon June 12th at the Royal Birmingham and Sunday Classics at the Spotted Dog on June 17th.

To find out more about each member’s individual music journey, head over to our Instagram page @Dunevquartet, where you’ll find our interview sessions. We are also on Facebook so be sure to follow our page for the latest news, concert info and general shenanigans of the quartet. Our website is on its way and will be launching in June so in the meantime, for any enquiries for gigs and events, send us a message on facebook, direct message on Instagram or email mail@dunevquartet.com

        Introducing The Dunev Quartet|Formation of a String Quartet

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It’s December 31st and like many people, I’m looking forward to 2018 whilst reminiscing  (and trying to forget) about many events that 2017 brought.  Here’s a little photo diary documenting things I’d like to remember of 2017.

Travel

I actually started off the year 2017 in northern Italy with my boyfriend and his parents. There, I learned to ski and had an amazing first time in taking in the wonderful sights, culture, food and wine that Italy has to offer.

In July 2017, enjoyed a lovely holiday seeing friends in Mallorca for 11 days. It really was a great time to relax after a stressful and demanding academic year and best of all the weather was beautifully hot for the whole time – I caught a tan! We met some lovely people out there and I’d love to return next summer.

Events & Meeting People & Opportunities

2017 was a year in which I continually met people unexpectedly and went to events that have led to further opportunity. I can’t quite remember everything/everyone in perfect chronological order (it’s been a long year) but here’s a few people in no particular order at all.

I met:

Ayanna-Witter Johnson, someone who’s music I have been following since a teenager.

Germa Adan, singer-songwriter/violinist/guitarist… basically brilliant musician who I had the pleasure of working with and getting to know. I know consider her mentor as well as a friend and colleague. Germa invited me to accompany her at a few gigs including a set at Sidmouth Folk Week and Cecil Sharpe House in London

Millicent Stephenson, Midlands’-based saxophonist, musician and mentor

Tai Murray, violinist

Chi-Chi Nwanoku, double bassist and founder of the Chineke! Orchestra

Sir John Peace, Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire & his deputy

Sir John Crabtree, Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands

Nicky Brown, producer

Prince Edward, Duke Wessex, Royal patron for Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

the list goes on…I bumped into the Lord Mayor of Nottingham Michael Edwards and his wife at a few events and  the Sheriff of Nottingham also. I can’t quite remember everything/everyone but suffice to say, I met some really inspirational and amazing people this year, most of them out of the blue or with not much notice at all and the opportunities and conversations have been special.

  Some events and personal highlights include:

Playing at SSE Wembley Arena

Won Be Inspired Youth Ward from the Association of Jamaican Nationals

Interview on BBC Radio West Midlands

Playing at Symphony Hall and Town Hall Birmingham for the first time

Had my first public speaking engagements

My first UK with Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble playing at various venues and folk festivals

Some highlights of my personal life include:

Taking advantage of performance opportunities despite having performance anxiety

Attending a music course

not letting anxiety and depression rule my life and taking advantage of opportunities that have come my way

Attending conferences, meeting and networking with people which is quite an achievement for me as an introvert

Writing for D’Addario Orchestral’s online magazine Behind the Bridge

Acquiring more violin/piano students and finding it extremely rewarding

Formation of my new string quartet

Spending time with my sisters despite us living in the 3 different cities

Being able to meet up and keep in touch with friends who live far away

Starting driving lessons

Turning 21

    2017 has been a good year for me and despite having those demotivated down days, I’m really chuffed with all I’ve done this year and I’m grateful to everyone who has been supportive and looking out for me. Onwards and upwards in 2018!

  From meeting Prince Edward to playing at Wembley 2017, has been a great year. Read more here It's December 31st and like many people, I'm looking forward to 2018 whilst reminiscing  (and trying to forget) about many events that 2017 brought.  

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Was a pleasure to play at County Hall last night for the Queen's Honours recipients and the Queen's representative the Lord-Lieutenant Sir John Peace who gave me a cheeky plug in his opening speech. 🎶 🎵 🎻 #Nottingham #hometown #violin #musician #gig #music #gigging (at Nottinghamshire County Hall)

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I'm not very good at sleeping. These teas make it easier 🍵 🌃 🌛🌜🌌 #Goodnight #clippertea #sleep

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Thanks BBCWM for having me on last night 🎤 📻 🎻🎶 really enjoyed it #radio #interview #musician #violinist #blogger #violin #nikkitapper (at BBC Birmingham)

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Shrewsbury Folk Festival 25.8.2017 #folk #folkmusic #violin #music #violinist #musician 🎻 🎶 (at Shrewsbury Folk Festival)

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Had a blast @benslowmusic this week learning & performing the Adagio mvmt from Brahms' G major sonata. #violin #violino #violinist #strings #classicalmusic #brahms #music #musician (at Benslow Music)

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Had a blast @benslowmusic this week learning & performing the Adagio mvmt from Brahms G major. Unfortunately, my phone microphone is temperamental so no sound😑🎶 🎵 🎻 #violin #violon #violinist #music #musician #Brahms #classicalmusic #violino (at Benslow Music)

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New in Book - so excited to dig in, take notes and apply the wisdom 📖 🗒❤️ #littleblackbook

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Last one. 🌴 🇪🇸 (at Palma De Mallorca, Spain)

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No more Mallorca pics for now.... 🌴 🏖 ☀ 👡 🇪🇸 #holiday #vacaciones #verano #vacay #mallorca #santaponsa #campdemar #palma #palaciodelaalmudaina #laseu (at Camp de Mar)

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11 days in Mallorca was great but need to get back to work now 🎻 #holiday #vacaciones #practice #violin #mallorca #musician

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Palma🌴 (at Royal Palace of La Almudaina)

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💒 #wedding #violinist #musician (at Mansfield Road Baptist Church)

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My two favourite albums of the summer #folk #folkmusic #musician #music #studioalbum

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Bloody love being in @thefolkensemble (at The Spotted Dog)

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This snap basically sums up my life being in @thefolkensemble (at The Spotted Dog)