The Crowther Wind Quintet

Ian Crowther (oboe) Rosemary Rathbone (flute) Carol Basden (clarinet) Alex Callanan (bassoon) Helen Shillito (french horn)

The Crowther Wind Quintet formed in the summer of 1992 and gave their debut concert in November at the Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury, where a newly commissioned work by Italian composer Dario Marianelli was given its first performance. All the players are Kent-based and pursue their own freelance playing and teaching careers when not performing with the CWQ.

During 1993, a wide range of sponsorship enabled the group to embark on a Canterbury Series of  four very well received concerts. The success of this series has enabled the group to perform a ‘Canterbury Series’ every year since 1993, and the 2000 series, culminating with a performance in the new Cathedral Education Centre during the Canterbury Festival was a great success with the group performing to a full house. During 2002, the Quintet’s Tenth Anniversary year, they were part of The Festival Chamber Orchestra which performed a concert in Canterbury Cathedral during the Canterbury Festival where they

welcomed Nicholas Daniel, the internationally renowned oboist and conductor to direct the ensemble.

Since their formation, CWQ have played for numerous Music Clubs, including the Norwegian Club in the Strand, London, and have also given two enthusiastically received performances in the Barbican Foyer Concert Series.   During their 1997 Canterbury Festival Concert CWQ gave the premiere of a piece composed for them by Derek Bell of ‘The Chieftains’, entitled Divertissement for a Kerryman.

Programmes are carefully chosen with the main aim being that CWQ’s concerts are exciting and create a musical experience.  Local press reviews have included the following comments:

‘Fare of Ingenuity‘     ‘Note after Note of Excellent Music‘

‘CWQ demonstrated the crispness and balance of their ensemble playing’

‘Artistically satisfying but also tremendous fun‘

The CWQ’s CD, Divertissement, was reviewed by BBC Music Magazine:

“ Their performance conveys the sheer enjoyment of wind quintet playing.”

Double Reed News reviewed the CD, giving it the approval of fellow musicians:

“It is to the CWQ’s credit that they have achieved such a high degree of musical rapport.  Whilst the individual performances are of a high standard, none of the players have sacrificed group integrity for personal gain.  An excellent CD, highly recommended, both to listen to and as an example of what can be achieved.”

For further details about CWQ, contact Ian Crowther on 01227 763965.

Previous players with the Crowther Wind Quintet – Simon Chiswell – Bassoon & Nick Morgan – French Horn.