Founding member Alan George has left the group, which is now seeking his replacement
The UK-based Fitzwilliam Quartet has announced the departure of its founding violist, Alan George.
’After 56 years, founder member Alan George has stepped aside, drawing to a close an extraordinary and exceptional career as violist in the Fitzwilliam Quartet,’ the ensemble announced on its website.
’We are indebted to Alan and will miss his wealth of knowledge and experience.’
The quartet also announced it is currently seeking George’s replacement to join current members Lucy Russell, Andrew Roberts and Ursula Smith, with news to follow in due course.
George studied violin with Colin Sauer at Dartington Hall, viola with Herbert Downes in London, and chamber music with Sidney Griller at the Royal Academy of Music. He won a scholarship to attend King’s College, University of Cambridge, where he became one of the founding members of the Fitzwilliam Quartet in 1968.
He served eleven years as principal viola with Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique and has been principal viola with Southern Sinfonia. His work as an educator includes lecturer and chamber orchestra director at the University of York, where he became an honorary doctor of music in 2006, as well as serving as a viola tutor at the Roayl Northern College of Music and as a visiting lecturer and examiner and colleges and universities in the UK and abroad.
George is a trustee of the registered charity Jessie’s Fund – a memorial to his daughter Jessica, who died of a brain tumour in 1994 – which helps sick children through the therapeutic power of music, and which the Fitzwilliam has supported in its concerts and recordings.
He plays a Cremonese viola from c.1740/41, possibly made by one of the Guarneri family, and his other instruments include one made for him in 1995 by Roger Hansell.
The Fitzwilliam Quartet began an ongoing residency at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge, in 1999, and holds a visiting residency at University of St. Andrews, Scotland, as well as Clare Hall, Univeristy of Cambridge, where the quartet will next perform in January 2025.
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