
The Arola Quartet at the RCM Strings Festival
The Arola Quartet received a warm welcome on June 21 as they took centre stage in two concerts, organised by the Royal College of Music in London in collaboration with the Stauffer Academy, as part of the RCM Strings Festival.
Comprising Samuel Hirsch and Alla Ternova (violins), Viktoria Vanteeva (viola) and Cyprien Lengagne (cello), students of the String Quartet Course, the ensemble presented a programme that brought together Maurice Ravel’s String Quartet in F major with Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 7 in F-sharp minor, Op. 108. In the afternoon, the young musicians joined four RCM professors — Natalia Lomeiko, Gaby Lester, Yuri Zhislin and Richard Harwood — for a performance of Shostakovich’s Octet.
“It was an absolute honour to collaborate with the incredible professors,” shared the young musicians. “Their artistry and support were truly inspiring, and sharing the stage with them was a highlight of our musical journey. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity and leave London filled with energy and inspiration for the future.”

