The Purcell Quartet , founded in 1983, was one of the world's leading Baroque quartets.
55-481: Founded in 1983, the Purcell Quartet had their debut concert six months after forming, on 14 February 1984, at St John's, Smith Square , London . Tess Knighton, of The Times , wrote of the world class ensemble: "The 'minimalist' approach as adopted by the Purcell Quartet draws the listener into the textual and musical rhetoric in an intimate and immediate way, and with singers and players as excellent as these
110-630: A comparative analysis of various land subsidence monitoring techniques. The results indicated that InSAR offered the highest coverage, lowest annual cost per point of information and the highest point density. Additionally, they found that, aside from continuous acquisition systems typically installed in areas with rapid subsidence, InSAR had the highest measurement frequencies. In contrast, leveling, non-permanent GNSS, and non-permanent extensometers generally provided only one or two measurements per year. These methods project future land subsidence trends by extrapolating from existing data, treating subsidence as
165-459: A function solely of time. The extrapolation can be performed either visually or by fitting appropriate curves. Common functions used for fitting include linear, bilinear, quadratic, and/or exponential models. For example, this method has been successfully applied for predicting mining-induced subsidence. These approaches evaluate land subsidence based on its relationship with one or more influencing factors, such as changes in groundwater levels,
220-431: A number of years, a cumulative drying occurs as the tree grows. That can lead to the opposite of subsidence, known as heave or swelling of the soil, when the tree declines or is felled. As the cumulative moisture deficit is reversed, which can last up to 25 years, the surface level around the tree will rise and expand laterally. That often damages buildings unless the foundations have been strengthened or designed to cope with
275-487: A reaction in the viewer, not always complimentary. An 18th-century commentator thought the new church "singular, not to say whimsical" and, later, Charles Dickens, in Our Mutual Friend , described it as appearing to be "some petrified monster, frightful and gigantic, on its back with its legs in the air". However today St John's is regarded as one of the masterpieces of English Baroque architecture. The building
330-489: A result of increased effective stress . In this way, land subsidence has the potential of becoming self-perpetuating, having rates up to 5 cm/yr. Water management used to be tuned primarily to factors such as crop optimization but, to varying extents, avoiding subsidence has come to be taken into account as well. When differential stresses exist in the Earth, these can be accommodated either by geological faulting in
385-420: A series of BBC broadcasts from the restored church. She identified that it was an ideal venue for radio concerts. One of its advantages was its distance from traffic noise including underground trains. Each Monday lunchtime the music concerts would be broadcast on BBC Radio . Since its rebirth as a concert venue, St John's, Smith Square has come to be regarded as one of London's major concert halls. Its acoustic
440-444: A simple barrel-vaulted roof... It's all as cool and quiet and evocative as the inside of a seashell. But there's another surprise to come. Beneath the church and reached by stone spiral stairs in the corner tower is another architectural mood ... the crypt. Low brick vaults – hardly more than head-high – a sense of weight and gravity ... (no wonder, under the weight of so much masonry, the church began to sink into its marshy site while it
495-555: A solidified crust of rock; mining; pumping of subsurface fluids, such as groundwater or petroleum ; or warping of the Earth's crust by tectonic forces. Subsidence resulting from tectonic deformation of the crust is known as tectonic subsidence and can create accommodation for sediments to accumulate and eventually lithify into sedimentary rock . Ground subsidence is of global concern to geologists , geotechnical engineers , surveyors , engineers , urban planners , landowners, and
550-530: A turmoil of movement that you could almost say there are no walls or windows ... only a composition of classical elements, columns and cornices, moulded pediments and heavily modelled towers ... Archer handles all this with an energy, courage and confidence which is irresistible. Admittedly, it looks a bit too large for the space it occupies – rather like some great piece of machinery that has been parked in this tiny domestic little square of brick-faced houses and white sash-windows. But this architectural outsize swagger
605-469: Is a concert hall in the centre of Smith Square , Westminster , London. Originally a church, this Grade I listed building was designed by Thomas Archer and was completed in 1728 as one of the so-called Fifty New Churches . It is regarded as one of the finest works of English Baroque architecture, and features four corner towers and monumental broken pediments . It is often referred to as ' Queen Anne's Footstool' because as legend has it, when Archer
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#1732798439556660-427: Is a general term for downward vertical movement of the Earth's surface, which can be caused by both natural processes and human activities. Subsidence involves little or no horizontal movement, which distinguishes it from slope movement . Processes that lead to subsidence include dissolution of underlying carbonate rock by groundwater ; gradual compaction of sediments ; withdrawal of fluid lava from beneath
715-432: Is part of its fascination. It positively challenges you to take it on full-face (and on all four faces). Once up the grand steps and through the doors the contrast is complete. All within is quiet simplicity – a lofty, spacious emptiness filled with a pale, clear light (there is no stained glass) – white walls contrasting with a scarlet curtain and a dark, polished timber gallery, giant white-painted Corinthian columns carrying
770-451: Is relatively predictable in its magnitude, manifestation and extent, except where a sudden pillar or near-surface tunnel collapse occurs (usually very old workings ). Mining-induced subsidence is nearly always very localized to the surface above the mined area, plus a margin around the outside. The vertical magnitude of the subsidence itself typically does not cause problems, except in the case of drainage (including natural drainage)–rather, it
825-575: Is suitable for nearly all forms of music and the versatility of its space enables it to accommodate a range of music. The hall's concert season begins in mid-September and continues to the following July/August, hosting concerts by internationally renowned singers and chamber musicians; solo instrumentalists; professional chamber orchestras and choirs, amateur choirs and orchestras (both adults and schools) as well as popular music artists. St John's receives no state or local authority subsidy. It relies entirely on income from concerts and recordings, and also on
880-415: Is the associated surface compressive and tensile strains, curvature, tilts and horizontal displacement that are the cause of the worst damage to the natural environment, buildings and infrastructure. Where mining activity is planned, mining-induced subsidence can be successfully managed if there is co-operation from all of the stakeholders. This is accomplished through a combination of careful mine planning,
935-459: The British tenor Mark Padmore . In 2004, the group celebrated their twentieth anniversary with a highly acclaimed concert in their hometown at Wigmore Hall . The group was a champion of Purcell 's music, as the name suggests, having recorded his works extensively. Additionally, they have performed music by Vivaldi , Corelli , Handel , Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber , and others. Most recently,
990-597: The Footstool Restaurant). Subsequently, the church stood a ruin, open to the sky, for over 20 years. Restoration of the building began in 1965 and it reopened as a concert hall in 1969 (see Restoration as a concert hall below). In 2021 the charity running St John’s Smith Square merged with the orchestra Southbank Sinfonia . In 2024 the building was renamed Smith Square Hall. Under the Ecclesiastical Commissioners Act 1840,
1045-457: The Italian influences he experienced on his Grand Tour, primarily that of Borromini . Writing in 1981, Sir Hugh Casson describes the building thus: The plan is squarish and almost symmetrical, but like all Baroque churches the interlocking pattern of the internal spaces is ambiguous, so that you can "see" and comprehend the church centrally or longitudinally as you prefer. The outside is such
1100-420: The area near to the lift, providing a new and more attractive and prominent shared point of entry for all. Adapted lavatories were also provided in the crypt. The artists’ dressing rooms also relocated allowing more direct access to the stage. A platform lift is also available, allowing disabled performers to gain access to the stage level. Access to the crypt is by way of stairs from the main portico steps or via
1155-409: The area. The subsidence was brought to a halt when secondary recovery wells pumped enough water into the oil reservoir to stabilize it. Land subsidence can occur in various ways during an earthquake. Large areas of land can subside drastically during an earthquake because of offset along fault lines. Land subsidence can also occur as a result of settling and compacting of unconsolidated sediment from
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#17327984395561210-422: The asthenosphere. If mass is added to a local area of the crust (e.g., through deposition ), the crust subsides to compensate and maintain isostatic balance . The opposite of isostatic subsidence is known as isostatic rebound —the action of the crust returning (sometimes over periods of thousands of years) to a state of isostacy, such as after the melting of large ice sheets or the drying-up of large lakes after
1265-401: The brittle crust , or by ductile flow in the hotter and more fluid mantle . Where faults occur, absolute subsidence may occur in the hanging wall of normal faults. In reverse, or thrust, faults, relative subsidence may be measured in the footwall. The crust floats buoyantly in the asthenosphere , with a ratio of mass below the "surface" in proportion to its own density and the density of
1320-703: The building against subsidence . In 1939, the church was the site of the wedding of Randolph Churchill , the son of Winston Churchill to Pamela Digby . The wedding attracted large crowds, and a great deal of media attention both in the UK and in the United States. For 213 years, the Church of St John the Evangelist served the surrounding parish – although the life of the building appears somewhat accident-prone. In 1742 (the year before Archer's death) its interior
1375-560: The building had cost £40,875. The church was built by Edward Strong the Younger a friend of Christopher Wren the Younger . St John's famous nickname 'Queen Anne's Footstool' was coined early in its history. According to legend, Archer consulted the ailing Queen Anne about his designs for the new church. The Queen, not noted for her interest in architecture, petulantly kicked over her footstool, pointed at its upturned shape and snapped "Like that!" The towers were, in fact, added to stabilise
1430-507: The effect. High buildings can create land subsidence by pressing the soil beneath with their weight. The problem is already felt in New York City , San Francisco Bay Area , Lagos . Land subsidence leads to the lowering of the ground surface, altering the topography. This elevation reduction increases the risk of flooding , particularly in river flood plains and delta areas. Earth fissures are linear fractures that appear on
1485-673: The excessive extraction of groundwater, making it a growing problem throughout the world. Groundwater fluctuations can also indirectly affect the decay of organic material. The habitation of lowlands , such as coastal or delta plains, requires drainage . The resulting aeration of the soil leads to the oxidation of its organic components, such as peat , and this decomposition process may cause significant land subsidence. This applies especially when groundwater levels are periodically adapted to subsidence, in order to maintain desired unsaturated zone depths, exposing more and more peat to oxygen. In addition to this, drained soils consolidate as
1540-514: The experience is utterly convincing." BBC Music Magazine said that the ensemble's "playing is infectiously uninhibited and technically immaculate. . . of unqualified pleasure." The Purcell Quartet has toured extensively in the United States, Chile , Bolivia , Colombia , Peru , Turkey , as well as throughout Europe. In October 2001, they toured in Japan with a fully staged production of Monteverdi 's opera, L'Orfeo . The cast of over forty starred
1595-448: The generosity of charitable trusts, companies and individuals to survive and to develop its facilities. In 1986 an Appeal was launched to raise funds to commission and install a new concert organ using the antique organ case (built by Jordan, Byfield and Bridges in 1734) donated by Sir Duncan Oppenheim. After many donations and two Gala Concerts, the project reached a successful conclusion in 1993. The organ, built by Johannes Klais of Bonn ,
1650-521: The ground level. Since exploitation of the Slochteren ( Netherlands ) gas field started in the late 1960s the ground level over a 250 km area has dropped by a current maximum of 30 cm. Extraction of petroleum likewise can cause significant subsidence. The city of Long Beach, California , has experienced 9 meters (30 ft) over the course of 34 years of petroleum extraction, resulting in damage of over $ 100 million to infrastructure in
1705-617: The group has focused on works of Johann Sebastian Bach and Dieterich Buxtehude . The Purcell Quartet should not be confused with the Canadian Purcell String Quartet, which was active from 1968 till 1991. In a 2014 interview with Pamela Hickman, Richard Boothby stated the group was no longer performing. The original members were: Only one change in members has occurred, when violinist Catherine Weiss replaced Wallfisch. St John%27s, Smith Square Smith Square Hall (formerly St John's Smith Square )
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1760-402: The land surface, characterized by openings or offsets. These fissures can be several meters deep, several meters wide, and extend for several kilometers. They form when the deformation of an aquifer, caused by pumping, concentrates stress in the sediment. This inhomogeneous deformation results in the differential compaction of the sediments. Ground fissures develop when this tensile stress exceeds
1815-443: The last ice age. Lake Bonneville is a famous example of isostatic rebound. Due to the weight of the water once held in the lake, the earth's crust subsided nearly 200 feet (61 m) to maintain equilibrium. When the lake dried up, the crust rebounded. Today at Lake Bonneville , the center of the former lake is about 200 feet (61 m) higher than the former lake edges. Many soils contain significant proportions of clay. Because of
1870-556: The public in general. Pumping of groundwater or petroleum has led to subsidence of as much as 9 meters (30 ft) in many locations around the world and incurring costs measured in hundreds of millions of US dollars. Land subsidence caused by groundwater withdrawal will likely increase in occurrence and related damages, primarily due to global population and economic growth, which will continue to drive higher groundwater demand. Subsidence frequently causes major problems in karst terrains, where dissolution of limestone by fluid flow in
1925-677: The rallying cry of "The Church in Danger". Under the Tories' plan to strengthen the position of the Anglican Church and in the face of widespread damage to church buildings after a storm in November 1710, Parliament concluded that 50 new churches would be necessary in the cities of London and Westminster . An Act of Parliament in 1711 levied a tax on coal imports into the Port of London to fund
1980-517: The rectory of St John's was annexed to the canonry of Westminster Abbey held by John Jennings , such that Jennings and his successors as Canon would be Rector ipso facto . † Rector died in post The church was gutted by bombing in 1941. The canonry at Westminster was suspended on Russell Barry's resignation to become Bishop of Southwell. The parish of St John's was united with St Stephen's, Rochester Row , on 24 November 1950. The architectural style of St John's, Smith Square, has always provoked
2035-467: The rest of his life under her successors George I and George II and, in addition, acquired the sinecure of Comptroller of Customs of Newcastle in 1715. Not surprisingly, he became a wealthy man and on his death he left a legacy of £100,000 to his nephew in addition to property in London, Hampshire and Warwickshire. Possibly as a result of this wealth and the distractions of Court life, his architectural output
2090-532: The scheme and appointed a commission to oversee the project. Archer was appointed to this commission alongside, amongst others, Hawksmoor, Vanburgh and Wren. The site for St John's was acquired from Henry Smith (who was also Treasurer to the Commissioners) in June 1713 for £700 and building commenced immediately. However, work proceeded slowly and the church was finally completed and consecrated in 1728. In total,
2145-525: The shaking of an earthquake. The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan reported immediate subsidence caused by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake . In Northern Japan, subsidence of 0.50 m (1.64 ft) was observed on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Miyako , Tōhoku , while Rikuzentakata, Iwate measured 0.84 m (2.75 ft). In the south at Sōma, Fukushima , 0.29 m (0.95 ft)
2200-403: The spiral staircase towards the rear of the hall. This part of the building was not damaged by the wartime bombing, so the brickwork is the original 18th century. Unlike other notable churches of the period (for example Christ Church, Spitalfields , whose crypt was excavated by archaeologists in the 1980s yielding much information about the 18th-century inhabitants of the parish), that of St John's
2255-620: The subsurface creates voids (i.e., caves ). If the roof of a void becomes too weak, it can collapse and the overlying rock and earth will fall into the space, causing subsidence at the surface. This type of subsidence can cause sinkholes which can be many hundreds of meters deep. Several types of sub-surface mining , and specifically methods which intentionally cause the extracted void to collapse (such as pillar extraction, longwall mining and any metalliferous mining method which uses "caving" such as "block caving" or "sub-level caving") will result in surface subsidence. Mining-induced subsidence
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2310-405: The taking of preventive measures, and the carrying out of repairs post-mining. If natural gas is extracted from a natural gas field the initial pressure (up to 60 MPa (600 bar )) in the field will drop over the years. The pressure helps support the soil layers above the field. If the gas is extracted, the overburden pressure sediment compacts and may lead to earthquakes and subsidence at
2365-595: The tensile strength of the sediment. Land subsidence can lead to differential settlements in buildings and other infrastructures , causing angular distortions. When these angular distortions exceed certain values, the structures can become damaged, resulting in issues such as tilting or cracking. Land subsidence causes vertical displacements (subsidence or uplift). Although horizontal displacements also occur, they are generally less significant. The following are field methods used to measure vertical and horizontal displacements in subsiding areas: Tomás et al. conducted
2420-441: The very small particle size, they are affected by changes in soil moisture content. Seasonal drying of the soil results in a lowering of both the volume and the surface of the soil. If building foundations are above the level reached by seasonal drying, they move, possibly resulting in damage to the building in the form of tapering cracks. Trees and other vegetation can have a significant local effect on seasonal drying of soils. Over
2475-665: The volume of groundwater extraction , and clay content. This model assumes that changes in piezometric levels affecting aquifers and aquitards occur only in the vertical direction. It allows for subsidence calculations at a specific point using only vertical soil parameters. Quasi-three-dimensional seepage models apply Terzaghi 's one-dimensional consolidation equation to estimate subsidence, integrating some aspects of three-dimensional effects. The fully coupled three-dimensional model simulates water flow in three dimensions and calculates subsidence using Biot's three-dimensional consolidation theory. Machine learning has become
2530-407: Was celebrated on 6 October 1999 with a Gala Concert, profits from which also contributed to the building restoration fund. St John's appears briefly as a concert hall in the film An Education , released in 2009. This is anachronistic, however, since the film is set in the early 1960s before St John's was restored. Until September 2010, St John's had no access or facilities for disabled people and
2585-460: Was damaged by fire and required extensive restoration; in 1773 it was struck by lightning and in 1815 the towers and roof had to be shored up. Finally on 10 May 1941, the church was directly hit by an incendiary bomb and gutted by fire during a bombing raid. A handwritten account of the events of that night hangs in a frame at the top of the stairs leading from the rear of the hall down to the Crypt (now
2640-550: Was designed by Thomas Archer (1668–1743). We know that his family were country gentry, but nothing is known about his architectural training. After the usual education for a cultivated young gentleman – three years at Oxford followed by the Grand Tour of Europe – he made his way as a courtier being appointed to the post of Groom Porter by Queen Anne in 1705. As such, he was responsible for licensing all gambling at court (including tennis, dice and billiards). He retained this post for
2695-531: Was designing the church he asked the Queen what she wanted it to look like. She kicked over her footstool and said 'Like that!', giving rise to the building's four corner towers. Ruined following firebombing in the Second World War , it was sold to a charitable trust and restored as a concert hall . In 1710, the long period of Whig domination of British politics ended as the Tories swept to power under
2750-580: Was named "The Sainsbury Organ" in recognition of the generosity of the Sainsbury family who made a highly significant contribution to the appeal. In March 1999, after 10 months of being shrouded in scaffolding, the major project to clean the exterior of St John's and repair stonework was completed. The National Heritage Lottery Fund made a substantial contribution to the costs of this essential maintenance work with partnership funding being donated by various trusts and companies. The 30th anniversary of St John's
2805-600: Was never used for burials. In fact, for most of the 18th and 19th centuries, the space was let for storage of wines and beer. The church's burial ground is situated in Horseferry Road, next to the former Westminster Hospital buildings. The site is now designated St John's Gardens and the remaining grave-slabs, now much eroded, are arranged around the perimeter of the garden. 51°29′45.6″N 0°07′37.6″W / 51.496000°N 0.127111°W / 51.496000; -0.127111 Subsidence Subsidence
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#17327984395562860-438: Was not easily accessible to the elderly. The sole access to the church from the exterior was by 14 steps – too steep for ramps. Interior access was again by steps either to the restaurant or the hall. A scheme was put in place to remedy this, the main elements of which involved the installation of a lift to serve the ground, crypt (box office and restaurant) and concert levels. The box office and main entrance foyer were relocated to
2915-672: Was observed. The maximum amount of subsidence was 1.2 m (3.93 ft), coupled with horizontal diastrophism of up to 5.3 m (17.3 ft) on the Oshika Peninsula in Miyagi Prefecture . Groundwater-related subsidence is the subsidence (or the sinking) of land resulting from groundwater extraction. It is a growing problem in the developing world as cities increase in population and water use, without adequate pumping regulation and enforcement. One estimate has 80% of serious land subsidence problems associated with
2970-423: Was small – including some work at Chatsworth; Roehampton House (part of Queen Mary's Hospital, until converted to flats in 2009–13); St Philip's Church, Birmingham (now the cathedral), and St Paul's Church, Deptford . However, the idiosyncratic personal style, which is the hallmark of St John's, distinguishes all of his work. While his contemporaries included Vanbrugh and Hawksmoor , Archer's style owes most to
3025-594: Was still building). The building was saved by the determination of Lady Parker of Waddington, commemorated by a plaque on the South wall of the hall. She formed the Friends of St John's in 1962 to raise money and restore the church to its former splendour and to Thomas Archer's original design for use as a concert hall. Work began in 1965 and the inaugural recital was given on 6 October 1969 by Dame Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge . The ex-cellist Eleanor Warren organised
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