Nova Quartet
bringing our passion for music to you
Reviews and Testimonials
Talent alone wouldn’t mean a thing without great customer service. From finding that obscure Magnetic Zeros song to liaising with the venue wedding planners, we can help you picture how music can fit into your special day. At Nova Quartet, we really get to know our clients, and find out what kind of atmosphere you want to create for your very special day. Our success speaks for itself - just take a look at some of the glowing reviews we have garnered along the way.
Your enthusiasm and energy abounds, and your incredible hard work is so much appreciated.
Lady Clare Russell (Lord Lieutenant Banffshire)
I was thoroughly impressed by the event which was a great credit to you.
Stewart Stevenson MSP
I really enjoyed the programme and the musicianship. I thought the way you introduced the pieces was excellent, giving context and setting the scene perfectly..........the concert was really super – well done to you all!
Martin Aitken - Performance and Events Officer Aberdeen City Council
I loved hearing you perform in the Sculpture Court. Thanks for being part of our photoshoot and congratulations on a very successful lunchbreak concert.
Margaret Sweetnam - Team Leader Audience Acquisitions
Aberdeen City Council
They began by playing three arrangements of some of the most well-known impressionist piano pieces by Debussy and Ravel: Clair de lune, La fille aux cheveux de lin and Pavane pour une infante defunte. This was a bold start, taking works synonymous with the piano and all its otherworldly resonances and transporting them to the very different sounds and textures of the string quartet. However (I’m glad to report), it was a beguiling transformation with some beautiful arranging ensuring these softly focused images felt just as transportive in this new medium. The concert was rounded off with a powerful performance of Haydn’s String Quartet No.53 in D Major, also known colloquially as the ‘lark’ quartet. This beautiful and radiant quartet was the perfect end to a memorable evening, performed with charm and dedication by the Nova Quartet.
Inverurie Music review
Prior to the event Gareth maintained regular contact with myself and with my daughter and her partner. He went out of his way to ensure that their choice of music for the entrance of the bridal party and for the signing of the register was met to their exact specifications.
Christine Cuthbertson
I would highly recommend this string quartet to play at weddings. From the initial booking/planning stage, right through to playing on the big day they were totally amazing. Our guests loved them. Thank you X
Donna McKenzie
You guys were fabulous. I wish I had more time to listen to your afternoon set! I will certainly be recommending you to my couples!
Nicola McLeay (Fife Lodge Hotel, Banff)
It was an enormous pleasure to welcome Gareth John (cello) and Nataliia Naismith (violin) to Music at Aden’s final concert of 2023. The concert was held on a blazing hot day in the atmospheric setting of Aden Theatre, which was full to capacity, and where the audience enjoyed a hugely varied programme of fascinating music. Nataliia and Gareth chose some familiar and some less familiar duos including Kummer’s Sonata in G minor and music by Bartok and the Ukrainian composer Gliere.
Gareth’s introduction to the pieces gave context to the work, as well as some humour, and added to the enjoyment of the music. Gareth and Nataliia’s sheer skill and versatility were a joy to behold and their enthusiasm and energy were obvious to the audience. The whole programme was a huge delight and the final work, Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik,
received rapturous applause from the audience who were rewarded with a delightful encore, which brought the wonderful performance to its brilliant end.
Anne Scott (Music at Aden)
The Nova Quartet gave us sound qualities (Fauré 's Requiem) that matched the orchestral sounds convincingly well. At one point Fauré brings in a rich surge from brass instruments. To my surprise and delight, the Nova Quartet managed to provide exactly that rich brazen sound in their playing. In the Pie Jesu their muted strings gave us a tenderly beautiful backing to the lovely treble solo sung so naturally and soaringly by Olivia Smith.........(and) there was a magnificent violin solo at the beginning of the Sanctus played with real virtuosity by Nataliia Naismith.
Alan Cooper (St Machar's Cathedral)
The whole event (Fauré 's Requiem) went well and I was so thrilled to work with the Nova Quartet. Not only is the sound rich and well modulated, but the personnel seems well matched with huge amounts of experience. Lovely and responsive to work with.
Dr. Roger Bevan Williams MBE (conductor)
We have worked with Nova String Quartet twice now and the team are always so professional and easy to deal with. Their talent is exceptional and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone requiring a string quartet or musical act for an event.
Suzanne Robertson (Mearns & Gill)
From my initial enquiry, Gareth was tremendously helpful. He kept in touch regularly and suggested the ‘right’ music for the occasion.
Gillian Donald
What a delight to have Gareth & Nataliia play – we truly felt like we had two talented musical friends joining our wedding day. Gareth recommended the perfect playlist, accommodated our requests and popped in a few extra songs to suit our guests. It created a magical, relaxing ambience for both us and our guests.
Jenni & Chris Prentice
I requested a few songs and nothing was too much bother for Gareth to organise with fantastic communication from start to finish
Eleanor Leith
We booked the Nova Quartet for a Coronation Afternoon Tea event at Ardoe House Hotel in May 2023. They tailored the programme beautifully to our requirements, added in a section with patriotic pieces such as Nimrod, and we ended with the National Anthem. All so well thought out and played beautifully.
Claudia Leith - Chair West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Conservative Association
Nova String Quartet made our special day even more special. From booking until the day it was a pleasure to speak to and plan alongside Gareth. The music was absolutely beautiful and each guest commented on how it really made our day even more perfect! Thank you all for such a perfect ceremony and entertainment during the drinks reception.
Mr and Mrs Whyte 🥰🎻
The string quartet sounded absolutely beautiful and made the ceremony extremely lovely! We and all the guests we talked to have nothing but positive things to say about you and the quartet, it sounded amazing and the songs choice was excellent! Many people commented on the tracks they recognized and enjoyed. We also truly appreciate the extra effort you've put to work with Gabe and Phil, it made the ceremony so personal and it couldn't have been done without your support, so we thank you very much. Best of luck to you and your colleagues!
Giedrius and Lindsey Kartanovic
The Nova Duo were an absolute pleasure to deal with from start to finish and provided the perfect musical accompaniment to our daughter's wedding. From the outset, Gareth was both professional and personable in all correspondence regarding the musical arrangements. And while the Nova Duo's impressively extensive repertoire of hymns, film music, rock, pop and classical pieces far exceeded what anyone could reasonably require for a wedding service and drinks reception, Gareth even went so far as to expertly craft an original arrangement of a particular favourite song at the couple's request.
The musical talents of both Gareth and Nataliia were abundantly clear, their effortlessly exquisite playing fully displaying their mastery of their respective instruments and blending beautifully to charm and entertain our wedding guests of all ages. We would have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone planning a wedding or event and have every confidence that you will be delighted to have the Nova Duo's music enhance your special day - we certainly were!
Diane Paterson
Just catching our breath after our honeymoon. Wanted to drop you a note to thank you for playing so beautifully at our wedding. You set the tone for our perfect day and everyone commented on how lovely it was to have the strings. My mum was very touched by Morning has broken and knew instantly it was her. Can’t thank you all enough.
Katie & Adam Mason
Your playing during the cocktail hour was phenomenal. Really happy. Wish you both the best!
Andrea & Jack Hughes
Out of all the things we were excited for at the wedding, Nova Quartet was top. They played beautifully and we had non stop compliments during and after our wedding day to tell us how fantastic they were. They just simply elevated the whole day, especially as the weather was rainy, the guest felt more than occupied as they listened to Nova play beautifully with a cocktail. I hope to be able to catch one of their upcoming concerts soon. Thank you all again,
Robyn & Andrew Fraser
Your violin "sings" in your hands. The Probus ladies were entranced - it was an absolute treat to have you with us. You were the icing on the cake.
Erin in recital to Granite City Ladies Probus Club