This versatile ensemble has enjoyed
collaborations with renowned rock, pop and jazz artists and even a contemporary
dance company. Their experiences range from playing on Stradivarius
instruments worth millions to camping in the deserts of Oman.
Gershwin's nephew (head of the Gershwin
estate) said the Vao's 'arrangements and playing of my uncle's songs
are fantastic!' It has been played on Classic FM, Radio 3 and Radio
2, including on Michael Parkinson's show and the quartet were also featured
on BBC's Friday Night is Music Night. In addition to a 4-star review
in BBC Music Magazine, the Pavao's have been featured in Gramophone
Magazine, Classic FM Magazine, and even Company Magazine! They completed
a UK tour in November as the support act for Elaine Paige.
Formed
in 1998 at the Royal Academy of Music, the quartet was awarded the Sir
John Barbirolli Memorial Prize (twice) and the John B. McEwen Prize
before graduating with First Class Honours. In 2002, the Academy awarded
them the Leverhulme Chamber Music Fellowship, which they held for two
years. In 2003, they made their Purcell Room debut which received a
favourable review in 'The Strad' magazine. Already popular with music
societies and festivals nationwide, the Quartet won a series of concerts
in London at the Blackheath Halls and two recital tours of Scotland
sponsored by the Tunnell Trust.
Vao has performed with the Alberni Quartet
on many occasions, including performances of Mendelssohn's 'Octet' on
a set of Stradivarius instruments loaned by the Royal Academy. With
over 50 quartets in their repertoire, they also have a wealth of experience
in the jazz, rock, pop and film genres. They made their Wigmore Hall
debut in 2003, in an exhilarating collaboration with the Dominic Alldis
jazz quartet, which was then taken on an extensive UK tour sponsored
by the Arts Council. The Pavãos are experienced in the recording studio;
they have been involved in such diverse projects as recording the music
for a Rick Stein cookery programme, featuring on a CD of 'James Bond'
film music and playing on the sound track for Andrew Lloyd Webber's
new production of the 'Sound of Music'. All four have enjoyed sharing
a stage with some of the pop world's greatest names.
They played in the 'Party at the Palace'
for the Queen's Golden Jubilee and between them they have worked with
Sir Elton John, KanYe West, and Robbie Williams and, on the classical
side, Katherine Jenkins and Pavorotti. The Quartet performed with Charlotte
Church on 'Parkinson', 'This Morning' and 'Top of the Pops' , and also
played with Il Divo on the 'X-Factor'. The Quartet has performed for
royalty on many occasions; HRH Princess Anne, HRH the Duke of Kent and
Princess Caroline of Monaco have all attended performances. They also
recently played for Mohammed Al Fayed in Harrods.
Vao have been invited to perform as
part of Unilever management seminars on several occasions, both in the
UK and Brussels. They even performed at a conference in Spain for all
the Catholic bishops of England and Wales. Sponsors have included HSBC,
British Airways, the British Council and Jaguar. The Quartet are also
grateful for financial help in the past from the Tillett Trust, the
Hattori Foundation, the Musicians Benevolent Fund and Sir Richard Branson.
