EQ: Revolution! The Edinburgh Quartet and Erik Petrie at Ocean Terminal

In 1917 the Russian Empire collapsed, the Tsar abdicated, and by the end of the year a new communist state had emerged, one that would eventually lead to the formation of the USSR.

One hundred years later The Edinburgh Quartet, one of Britain’s foremost chamber ensembles, is commemorating the tumultuous events of those years (and of the French Revolution 118 years earlier) with a unique and ambitious creative collaboration.

Focusing on the music of Mozart, Shostakovich and Beethoven, on Monday (9th January) the Quartet will begin a week’s residency at Ocean Terminal in Leith. Musicians Tristan Gurney, Gordon Bragg, Fiona Winning and Mark Bailey will be working alongside acclaimed Edinburgh artist, tutor and street photographer Erik Petrie; both in rehearsals and in concerts Erik will absorb and respond to their playing and ultimately create a visual expression of the repertoire. (Image © Erik Petrie.)

The week will offer everything from open rehearsals to concerts, two schools’ events and a drop-in art workshop, Exploring Creative Ways to Interpret Music, for adults. All events at Ocean Terminal are free; the Rush Hour Concert, which will take place at St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church in George Street at 5.30pm on Wednesday 11th, is ticketed (£10 – students and children admitted free). This concert will feature Beethoven’s String Quartet Op 59 No 3 ‘Rasumovsky’.

The Revolution Project is supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland in collaboration with the Scottish Design Exchange and Ocean Terminal.

For full details, times and venues for all residency events see the Quartet’s website here.