Welcome to «island»
Jane Gower – bassoon (Copenhagen)
Madeleine Easton – violin (London)
Galina Zinchenko – viola (Paris)
Catherine Jones – cello (Milan)
Eleven years ago Jane Gower founded the quartet «island» in order to explore the unjustly neglected early nineteenth century repertoire for bassoon, violin, viola and cello, on the instruments of the era.
In its original configuration of European-based Australian women, «island» recorded its first CD for Centaur Records; the quartets of François Devienne, a première on historical instruments. Over the past decade the quartet has undergone various evolutions in its female membership whilst retaining a decidedly Australian flavour.
«island»has performed extensively throughout Spain, France and the Netherlands, made its Australian debut in the 2001 Barossa Festival, and featured prominently in the 2006 Flanders Festival. In 2008 the quartet made its second tour for the Dutch Netwerk voor Oude Muziek. Its 2004 CD of the three Quartets, Op.40, of Franz Danzi, was awarded 10/10 in Classics Today amongst other critical acclaim.Its latest recording of the two quartets of Franz Krommer, Op.46, and J.N.Hummel's string trio in G has just been released on the German label ARS.
As specialists on their period instruments, the four women of «island» perform, also as soloists, with some of the finest early music orchestras and ensembles throughout Europe, The United States and Australia, such as The English Baroque Soloists, Academy of Ancient Music, The Australian Chamber Orchestra, Les Arts Florissants, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, The Orchestra of the 18th Century, and The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. In the rarely heard but captivating repertoire for classical bassoon and strings, «island» unites the wealth of its players' experience with a unique feminine charm, open expressiveness, drama, and a sense of humour.
