Famed for their love of cake and classical quartet repertoire, a group of dedicated young musicians formed the Kruger Quartet in 2014 with the aim of giving audiences a chance to experience intimate performances of the works of Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven, played using 18th Century instruments and bows. The Quartet was inspired originally by Marc Destrube's Microcosmos quartet, whose style of playing reflects the composers' intentions as closely as possible.

"The Quartet performs in smaller spaces, such as living rooms, galleries and intimate concert halls, so their style is perfect for the venues we use for our Concerts in the West performances," said Catherine Hodgson, found and director of Concerts in the West. "These pieces of music were originally performed in small salons, which naturally creates a more personal relationship between the musicians and their audience."

"Helen Kruger, who formed the quartet, and her fellow performers, Nichola Blakey, Carina Drury and Claudia Norz, are young and dynamic performers and the sound they produce is highly authentic. Helen herself plays on a beautifully decorated 1782 Giovanni Gagliano violin, which is owned by the Stradivari Trust. It's a very exciting experience watching them perform and I believe our audiences are going to love the programme they will be playing for us."

Biographies
Australian born violinist, Helen Kruger moved to the UK 11 years ago to study with Professor Howard Davis of the Alberni Quartet. While at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) she studied baroque violin lessons with Simon Standage. Helen won various awards from RAM and, was awarded a full scholarship to complete a Masters in historical performance, which was followed by an Academy Fellowship. Since then she has performed with many of the major ensembles and orchestras in the field, both in the UK and internationally.

Manchester born Nichola Blakey studied viola at the Royal Academy of Music and since graduating has had a busy freelance career playing both modern and historical violas with some of the country's most renowned orchestras. Highlights have included performances with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Brook Street Band, Collegium Musicum 90 and Emelie Sandé. She has also been broadcast on Radio 3, Classic FM and Capital Radio. 

Cellist Carina Drury was awarded a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in 2003 and continued her studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In 2010 Carina performed as principal cello with the European Union Baroque Orchestra. She has also been awarded places on the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Experience Scheme and the Monteverdi Apprenticeship Scheme with the English Baroque Soloists.

After graduating from the University Mozarteum in Innsbruck in 2010, Swiss born Claudia Norz studied baroque violin at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with distinction. She was selected to be a member of the European Union Baroque Orchestra 2012, Ambronay European Baroque Academy 2013 and The Ann and Peter Law OAE Experience for young players 2015.

Musical Programme - Kruger Quartet:

Hatherleigh and Ilminster concerts: Mozart String Quartet No 21 in D K575; Abel String Quartet in Bb, Op 8 No 2; Haydn String Quartet in D, Op 50 No 6 Hob.III:49; Mozart String Quartet No 22 in Bb K589.

Performance and Box Office Details for Kruger Quartet:

Thursday March 3  7.30pm, Lower Pulworthy, Highampton, Hatherleigh, Devon EX21 5LQ. Box Office: 01837 810940 (Salar Gallery, 18/20 Bridge Street, Hatherleigh EX20 3HY. 9am-5pm) Tickets: £15. Interval drinks, disabled access. Lower Pulworthy is an old rural farmhouse, approximately two miles out of Hatherleigh on the A3072. Take a right turn which is signposted to Legge Fisheries. Follow the road up the hill and take the right fork, which will lead you down a bumpy drive. You will see gate posts ahead of you and you will have arrived. There are several farm buildings, but they are no longer in use. The concert is in the house. Please park where you can find a space.