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In 1993, a couple of enthusiastic musicians wanted to found an ensemble, specializing in chamber music. They did not want to become one of many string quartets or piano trios. They wanted something different and eventually settled for a combination of piano, violin, viola and cello : piano quartet Marcato was born.
There aren't many quartets combining these four instruments. When required by the music they want to play, a string quartet temporarily replaces one of their members with a piano player or a piano trio adds a violin player to their ranks. You also have groups which do not have a fixed complement and groups which invite solo players. But a piano quartet with a fixed complement of four ? That is something else.
As it turns out, a rather impressive selection of music has been written for a piano quartet. Although not as extensive as for a string quartet, there is enough to compile a rich and varied repertoire.
Then followed a series of concerts throughout Flanders.
Highlights were :
- The performance of Marcel De Jonghe's composition "Bitter Sweet Tonics", written for and dedicated to Marcato, in "Ter Dilft", Bornem.
- A concert given as part of Flanders' Festival
- A performance staged in the context of "Flanders 2002"
- A series of concerts in the "Rode Pomp" in Ghent, one of which has been recorded by VRT (Flemish broadcasting company)
Meanwhile, they have also become invaluable to the series of evening concerts, staged by "Jeugd en Muziek" (Youth and Music).
And this year Marcato is ready to venture abroad giving concerts in Budapest (at the Bartok museum).
Marcato's repertoire currently consists of 25 compositions. The main aim still is to offer a programme in which unkown musical gems and well known pieces are equally represented. Marcato cannot ignore the beautiful music written by masters such as Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, Fauré but also has a genuine interest in music from less well known composers such as Casadesus, Copland, Mahler, Martinu, Turina, Walton,·· In addition to all this, they will not forget the music composed by Belgian composers such as Jean Absil, Joseph Jongen, Willem Kersters, Marcel Poot,·.
Marcato offers a platform to young, bright, Flemish composers, who deserve a place in the concert world, by challenging them to write new pieces. In doing this, they have already been able to introduce wonderful compositions by Marcel De Jonghe, Jan Van Landeghem, Kurt Bikkembergs, Erika Budai and Peter Thys. This year Dirk De Nef (author of the obligate work for the Queen Elisabeth Competition) is expected to write a new piece.
Marcato has also premiered Bernard Baert's composition and this year they will be premiering another new piece . Both pieces have been written for the "Rode Pomp".
Marcato would not be able to execute all of their ambitious projects if it weren't for the (financial) support of their two sponsors Scaldex (firm) and Maene (piano builder). Thanks to them, Marcato's performances and programme have reached the standard they have today.
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