The Azalea Wind Quintet by Arnold, Malcolm, Braga Santos, Ligeti, Edwards, Ross, Coleman, V., Hindemith, Still, W. G., Ibert, lør. 06 apr. 2024, Fra (2024/2024), Clonter Opera Theatre, Congleton, United Kingdom

The Azalea Wind Quintet features a mixture of postgraduate students and graduates from the Royal Northern College of Music. Members originally from the United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong and Portugal make up the eclectic ensemble and the group is aptly named as the ‘Azalea’ flower is one of the few flowers found to grow in each of the founding members’ birth countries. Founded in September 2021, the Azalea Wind Quintet has dedicated part of its mission as musicians to bringing to life new music working with composers Joe Bloom, Flowers Tannenbaum and a collaboration with composers from Sheffield based organisation Platform 4 in 2023. The Azalea Wind Quintet also brings to life music that is lesser known for the ensemble as well as old favourites. Including proudly presenting pieces from the founding members’ birth countries most recently featuring music by Australian composer Ross Edwards accompanied by immersive sounds from the Australian landscape in their spotlight concert “Djanaba: a 10,000 mile journey” from Manchester to Sydney. In April, the group will perform at the Lake District Chamber Music recital series and the Didsbury Coffee Concert Series and feature music by Portuguese composers Eurico Carrapatoso and Joly Braga Santos. The Azalea Wind Quintet made the final rounds of the RNCM 2022 and 2023 Fewkes Prize, a highly esteemed chamber music competition at the Royal Northern College of Music for wind chamber music groups. Azalea Wind Quintet appear by kind permission of the RNCM.