Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert

The Skampa Quartet has been one of the finest Czech ensembles for 20 years and is an old friend of Radio 3. This recital pairs two highly contrasted works. Shostakovich's 11th Quartet was written in memory of an old friend, a member of the quartet which had given many Shostakovich premieres. Dvorak's 13th Quartet dates from the year when he returned to his Czech homeland after his famous visit to the United States - a time when he was 'inexpressively happy'. The concert is introduced by Katie Derham. Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 11 in F minor Op. 122 Dvorák: String Quartet No. 13 in G Op. 106 Skampa Quartet.