You formed way back in 1972. What is the secret of your longevity?
Jacqueline Thomas (JT): We were children when we set out on this 50-year (and counting!) journey. I was only 10, my colleagues a little older, and yet we knew from the start that it was serious. We worked at repertoire far beyond our abilities – Bartók No. 5 was an early favourite – which was great training for young minds. You stick together, come what may. The rhythm came first, notes later (in this case, much later!).
Brodsky Quartet. Photo © Sarah Cresswell.
You are famously prolific and eclectic collaborators. Could you mention some collaborations that have been especially important to you?
JT: Brian Friel’s play Performances with Henry Goodman and Rosamund Pike required us to act alongside these veterans, whilst performing Janáček’s Second Quartet. That was a great experience, if a little scary! Equally, we shared the writing credits with one of the most highly respected songsmiths alive today, Elvis Costello, for our album The Juliet Letters.
With your very own Katie Noonan, we commissioned eight Australian composers for a song cycle based on letters of
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