The Forge

The Laefer Quartet has been very busy recently building up to our recent recital at The Forge in Camden. Not only was it a fantastic opportunity to play at a great venue but it was a chance for us to perform two world premières! 

The first, 'Dapple' was written by prize winning composer Ed Scolding. Ed described his short work like "having a blank object in the middle of a room and you're throwing paint at it from all angles. At first you're not sure what the object is however as more 'paint' is thrown the nature of the object is revealed"

The second work, by Alexander Glyde- Bates, was commissioned by the Laefer Quartet. 'AGB' (as he is colloquially known!) is a good friend of our Baritone player, Stephen, from their time together at Southampton University. The work, entitled 'Restoration', is based upon the idea of a work of art. Over time the work falls into disrepair and its image becomes obscured, it is then restored and the picture becomes clear, before time takes its toll and it falls into disrepair again. Alex applied this idea to a well known piece of classical music, taking it from it's state of disrepair, to full glory and then decomposing it again. See how quickly you can recognise the piece!

Recordings of both the works can be found on our 'Recordings' page.

Stephen Shepherd