Founded in 2004 by four musicians of the Paris “Conservatoire National de Musique et de Danse”, the Voce Quartet was soon making its voice heard. After a few short years of existence, with the precious help of the Ysaÿe Quartet, the four artists have established their reputation at the international competitions of Geneva, Cremona, Vienna, Bordeaux, London and most recently at the competition ‘Franz Schubert and the Music of Modernity’ in Graz (Austria), from which they returned with three prizes (Second Prize, Interpretation Prize for the Ligeti quartet, and Audience Prize). These successes have led them to appear all over the world (Japan, Central America, United States, Europe, North Africa) and to share platforms with such outstanding musicians as Miguel da Silva and Pierre Fouchenneret.

The Voce Quartet is conscious of the need to allow listeners to experience classical music outside the conventional concert framework, and has experimented with various types of performance by lending its voice to silent films (by such directors as Murnau, Lubitsch, Keaton and Vidor) and to plays. Its members seize the opportunity to meet all kinds of audiences by providing the musical illustrations for the lectures of Bernard Fournier and the radio and television programmes of Jean-François Zygel (La Leçon de Musique, Le Cabaret Classique) and introducing their work in schools. They also have more personal musical projects such as the artistic direction of two festivals – the Festival de Cordes at La Charité-sur-Loire and Le Coeur en Musiques in the south of the Ardèche département.

The Voce Quartet is supported by the Académie Musicale de Villecroze, and also receives assistance from Cultures France, the Fondation du Groupe Banque Populaire, and Proquartet-CEMC; the last-named makes it possible for the ensemble to receive regular guidance from eminent teachers.

Text: © Nascor
Photo: Sophie Pawlak

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Weblink: quatuorvoce.free.fr

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It was a real getting together and we are very happy that the festival could play at such a beautiful place. Thank you to Sister Hildegard and all her companions and the people of Beit Emmaus for welcoming us in such a warm and open way.

Photo credit: (c) Bigshot / Christian Jungwirth

Sun, July 4th – 8.00 pm
Crusaders Church, Abu Gosh

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With the help of Smetana’s impressive and virtuoso Quartet “From my Life” and a great “Melange Oriental”, artists from all corners of Europe recount stories about the search for their roots and their identity, about exuberance and melancholy, about adventures in faraway countries and the longing for home.

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Bedrich Smetana: String Quartet “From my life“  in E minor,
“Mélange Oriental”

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Magali Léger – soprano, Michel Lethiec – clarinet, Erich Oskar Huetter – cello, Stefan Heckel – accordion, impro, Merel Quartet – string quartet, Quatuor Voce – string quartet

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Sat, July 3rd – 6.30 pm
Beit Emmaus, Qubeibeh

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Beit Emmaus is a historical place of encounters. And encounter is the motto under which the artists of this festival get together in different formations to communicate through the gentle sounds of baroque music, artistic string quintets and a small but absolutely brilliant orchestra of Arabic music.

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Henry Purcell: Love Songs
- If music be the food of love (third version)
- Music for a while
- Sweeter than roses
- Oh! fair Cedaria
- I see she fly’s me
- Fly swift, ye hours
Franz Schubert: String Quintet C major op. post. 163 D 956
Oriental Music Orchestra

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Magali Léger – soprano, Erich Oskar Huetter – cello, Gianluca Capuano – harpsichord, Merel Quartet – string quartet, Quatuor Voce – string quartett

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Fri, July 2nd – 6.30 pm
Al Samhan Castle, Ras Karkar

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One of the most beautiful concert venues for playing Schubert and Oriental Music is the feudal 18th/19th century castle of the former throne village Ras Karkar. Not only the historical architecture and the breathtaking view in the sunset, but also the heartfelt hospitality of the village turn this concert into a special experience.

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Franz Schubert: “Quartettsatz” in C minor D 703
Oriental Music

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Quatuor Voce – string quartet, Wael Abu Saloum – oud, Erich Oskar Huetter – cello, Pei-Jee Ng – cello, Raed Said – percussion

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Sounding Jerusalem 2010 at Al Samhan Castle, Ras Karkar | Wael Abu Saloum – oud, Raed Said – percussion

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Thu, July 1st – 6.30 pm
Church of St. Anne, Old City of Jerusalem

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St. Anne is a refuge for the soul in the Old City of Jerusalem, a source of peace and inspiration. The delicate sounds of the string quartets by Schubert and Ravel melt in the air and intermingle with expressive contemporary compositions.

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Franz Schubert: “Quartettsatz” in C minor D 703
Maurice Ravel: String quartet in F major
Oriental Music, Contemporary Pieces for flute solo

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Quatuor Voce – string quartet, Stefano Bagliano – recorder, Pei-Jee Ng – cello, Gianluca Capuano – organ, Raed Said – percussion, composition

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