Story
Quatuor VJ
At first glance Quatuor VJ appears to be a regular ensemble performing an early Mozart String Quartet. The players, who all share the same initials- VJ- outline their biographies on the CD and can be viewed discussing their individual styles on an accompanying video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NyjuSO67xg&feature=youtu.be
In reality however the ‘group’ is one individual- Royal London Hospital consultant Dermatologist Dr Vicky Jolliffe. Vicky, who studied the violin part- time at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama whilst completing her medical degree, undertook the challenge of recording a string quartet playing all 4 parts after a joke comment by the pianist and broadcaster Paul Guinery. She undertook ‘cello lessons last year in order to accomplish it and believes that this is the first time that a string quartet has been recorded by a single individual .
“I wanted to capture the feel of a ‘live’ performance and so I did just one take for each of the 2 violins, viola and ‘ cello parts and had the great fortune of a fabulous sound engineer to mix it. Whilst making the actual recording was great fun, dressing up as the individuals in ‘character’ was absolutely hilarious!”
Using wigs for the players was something close to Vicky’s heart as she has a special clinical interest in Hair Disorders and decided therefore to use the project to fundraise for Alopecia UK.
She hopes to raise money to facilitate more workshops and residential opportunities for children and adolescents with Alopecia Areata in the UK.
If you would like to order an audio CD please email quatuorVJ@gmail.com giving your postal address.