The Elgar Connection 1 with the Fibonacci Sequence

The first of two concerts in which the Petworth Festival celebrates the music of Elgar and founding Festival Director, Robert Walker, both of whom lived and composed at Brinkwells near Fittleworth.

Of his 1984 Piano Quintet - first performed at the 1984 Petworth Festival - Walker says “the fugue came out of a performance I heard of Stephane Grapelli and Nigel Kennedy having a jam-session. The second movement is a set of variations on a fascinating chord relationship which is helped along by a folk-song.”

Walker’s work is paired with Elgar’s Piano Quintet said to have been “influenced by the quiet and peaceful surroundings [of Brinkwells] during a wonderful summer”. The opening John McCabe piece makes reference to John Donne’s poem A Nocturnal upon St Lucie’s Day - the mood of which is reflected in the quintet.

The Fibonacci Sequence celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2014 and is considered one of the UK’s most distinguished chamber ensembles with a wide-ranging discography and impressive reviews.

“...no praise can be too high for the Fibonacci Sequence’s polished and dashingly committed performances...” Gramophone

John McCabe Nocturnal (1986)
Robert Walker Piano Quintet (1984)
Elgar Piano Quintet in A minor (Op. 84)

Generously sponsored by the Mersey Charitable Trust

Robert Walker (photo: Jayne West)