French-Korean violinist Irène Duval, coming to us for a second time, won the hearts of the JW3 audience with her spontaneity, warmth and naturalness.
Irène's playing effortlessly brings music fully to life. She will lead a string quintet including two outstanding violists Ami-Louise Johnsson (Swedish-Japanese) and Emma Wernig (German-American), violist of the distinguished Doric Quartet; Tim Crawford, violinist in the thrilling Valo Quartet and Teyber Trio, and in hot demand at chamber music festivals all over Europe; and our Artistic Director, David Waterman, for 42 years cellist of the Endellion Quartet.
Mozart found that the addition of a second viola to a string quartet releases myriad possibilities of captivating colours and warmth, and his two quintets in this programme bear ample witness to this. The D major, in particular, is one of his great late masterpieces and is comparable to any of his great operas. Beethoven’s Quintet finds him at his most delightfully genial, warm-hearted and affectionate, and it ends with a dramatic, virtuosic and exciting Finale.
Musician Biographies
Irène Duval
Violinist Irène Duval is one of the most distinctive voices of her generation — praised for her ‘poised, fearless energy, chamber intelligence and musical finesse’ (Charlotte Gardner, dCs Only the Music) and ‘mastery of phrasing and of the dramatic dimension’ (Diapason). She is one of Bachtrack’s Ten Rising Stars to Watch for 2025–26.
At the heart of her artistic identity is a passion for combining works central to the repertoire with little-known gems. Her second disc, Fauré and Friends, pairs two rarely performed second violin sonatas — Fauré’s and Enescu’s. Her forthcoming recording project takes that instinct further, built entirely around three violin concertos that were lost for more than half a century before their rediscovery.
Recent highlights include her participation in Stephen Kovacevich’s 85th birthday concert at Wigmore Hall alongside Martha Argerich, her debut with the Philharmonia Orchestra at the first symphonic concert given by an international orchestra in Mauritius, her debut with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe at the inauguration concert of the Casals Forum in Kronberg, her first appearance at the Verbier Festival playing with Janine Jansen, a Debussy concert with Jean-Efflam Bavouzet at Wigmore Hall, and her fourth collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Last November, she played in a five-concert celebration of the centenary of Gabriel Fauré at Wigmore Hall, performing sonatas and ensemble works with Joshua Bell, Jeremy Denk, Blythe Engstroem, Steven Isserlis and Connie Shih.
View Irène's full biography here.
Tim Crawford
Born into a family of violinists, Tim’s formative musical years were spent both playing violin and singing as a chorister, then was fortunate to start working on trios and quartets as a teenager with his still close colleagues Timothy Ridout and Tim Posner. They now make up The Tim Trio, one of the few active world class string trios.
Tim recently left his position as leader of Denmark’s pre-eminent chamber ensemble, Esbjerg Ensemble, which he held for the past few years. More recently he has begun guest leading larger ensembles, such as Kammerakademie Potsdam and Amsterdam Sinfonietta.
Aside from this, Tim also plays in the Valo Quartet with Maria Włoszczowska, Lilli Maijala and Amy Norrington. While the quartet is new, they have already lined up a North American tour, performances at leading venues such as Wigmore Hall and has had works commissioned. Tim has also occasionally with the Nash Ensmeble, resident chamber ensmeble of the Wigmore Hall.Tim plays a 1770 Ferdinand Gagliano.
View Tim's full biography here.
Emma Wernig
Born in Los Angeles in 1999, Emma Wernig is a German-Austrian violist who has quickly become recognized for her expressive artistry and distinctive musical voice, establishing herself as a rising star on the international stage.
A distinguished competition laureate, Emma was awarded the Barbirolli Prize at the 2019 Tertis International Viola Competition and won the Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competition in 2017. These early successes were pivotal in launching her international career. In recognition of her exceptional talent, she also received the Wilo Foundation Prize in 2021, which continues to support her development as a soloist. These prestigious accolades paved the way for a vibrant performance career, which includes concertos, recitals, and chamber music performances across Europe and beyond.
View Emma's full biography here.
Ami-Louise Johnsson
Swedish violist Ami-Louise Johnsson has been lauded for her insightful musicianship and the warmth of her captivating sound. With a growing career as a recitalist, chamber musician, and soloist, she is steadily establishing herself as a prominent voice in the classical music world.
Ami-Louise has been selected as the Swedish Radio Classical Artist of the Season 2026/27, featuring performances with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Swedish Radio Choir, as well as the premiere of a newly commissioned work written especially for her.
In 2025, she was a prizewinner at the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition, performing Viola Concerto by William Walton with the Royal Northern Sinfonia under Thomas Zehetmair at Glasshouse International Centre for Music.
She was also awarded 2nd prize and the Dvořák Society Award at the Oskar Nedbal International Viola Competition in Prague, and received the Junior Award from the Hattori Foundation in London.
She has performed at festivals including the Verbier Festival Academy, International Chamber Music Festival Utrecht, IMS Prussia Cove, Yellow Barn, and Nume Festival.
Ami-Louise studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with David Takeno, supported by scholarships from the Anglo-Swedish Society, the Drake Calleja Trust, and the Countess of Munster Musical Trust.
Born in Stockholm in 2001, Ami-Louise began violin studies at the age of five at Lilla Akademien Music School. She made her solo debut at eight with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Visit Ami-Louise's website here.
David Waterman
David Waterman was born into a musical family in Leeds. He studied philosophy at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was awarded an MA and PhD degrees.
Founding member of the Endellion Quartet, his frequent collaborations with other artists have included appearances with members of the former Amadeus Quartet, Shmuel Ashkenasi, Joshua Bell, Lukacs Hagen, Steven Isserlis, Gabor Takacs-Nagy and Sandor Vegh. He was commissioned by Cambridge University Press to contribute a chapter to the “ Cambridge Companion to the String Quartet” which was published in 2003.
M. Waterman has taught at the Yehudi Menuhin School, the Royal Northern College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music, the Guildhall, and the Menuhin Academy at Gstaad and teaches cello and chamber music for IMS at Prussia Cove.
View David's full biography here.
