Quatuor Diotima is back in York, and once again, yesterday I had the privilege of hearing one of my string quartets—Back Me Up!—performed by them. After Obviously It’s Love, this was the second time I’ve had the honor of collaborating with these exceptional musicians, and the experience was nothing short of transformative.
As a composer, there is no greater joy than hearing the fruits of hard work come alive through the hands of exceptional and gifted performers. From the start, I knew I could trust their brilliance and expressive depth to bring the music to life effortlessly. And indeed, from the very first note, they did just that—fully inhabiting the piece, exploring its nuances, and capturing every detail.
As with all great performers, the rehearsal provided a unique opportunity to refine the piece and enhance the score’s clarity. The quartet approached my work with generosity, openness, and true curiosity, offering fresh perspectives on my composition and uncovering new possibilities within the music. It is always one thing to compose in solitude, imagining how the music might sound, but quite another to witness it come alive in real time through the dedication and passion of extraordinary performers. Hearing Back Me Up! performed so masterfully reaffirmed my belief in the power of artistic collaboration.
I am deeply grateful for this experience and want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Quatuor Diotima for their commitment and talent, and to Prof. Thomas Simaku, who made the event possible. This performance has been a significant step in the evolution of this piece, and I look forward to composing the next piece for them.
For those who have not yet had the chance to hear Quatuor Diotima live, I highly encourage you to do so. Their commitment to contemporary repertoire makes them an invaluable force in today’s landscape, and their ability to uncover the soul of every piece is always remarkable.
Here are some moments captured by the camera of Thomas Simaku.
