Viola player Jakub Cepicky with Simon Majaro

THEY travel the globe armed with two violins, a viola and a cello – and this week the internationally renowned Wihan Quartet landed in Hampstead to perform a special concert for the Cavatina Chamber Music Trust.

The Trust, founded by Simon and Pamela Majaro in 1998, brings leading string quartets into schools, colleges and community spaces as a means to increasing access to world-class classical music.

The Czech quartet has been performing for nearly 40 years and players Leos Cepicky, Jan Shulmeister, Jakub Cepicky and Michal Kanka played two pieces chosen by Professor Majaro.

He said the pieces – Bredich Smetana’s String Quartet Number One in E Minor, and Leos Janacek’s String Quartet Number Two – had special meaning for his late wife, Pamela.

Professor Majaro said: “This beautiful quartet is an autobiography of Smetana’s life. Starting with a happy childhood and followed by happy events, but also tragic situations, such as the loss of his wife.”

And the Trust, based at Wigmore Hall in Fitzrovia, are resuming their cultural programme after enforced postponements due to Covid.

He added: “Despite having many of our schools concerts cancelled in 2022 due to the pandemic, we were delighted to be able to present 30 chamber concerts to school children last year. We are striving for 40 this year.”