Famed Emerson String Quartet to Perform October 23 at UCSB's Campbell Hall
For Immediate Release September 14, 2007
Contact:
Tim Dougherty
805.695.7908
Santa Barbara, CA- In the rarefied world of marquee classical ensembles, the Emerson String Quartet commands an unrivaled reputation for technical brilliance and expressive range. Time magazine has declared the group "America's greatest quartet," and The Washington Post has hailed its "easy virtuosity, precise sense of ensemble, rhythmic vigor, and rich polished tone."
This acclaimed quartet will perform works by Haydn, Shostakovich, and Beethoven at UCSB's Campbell Hall on October 23. Co-presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures and the Music Academy of the West, the recital will begin at 8 pm and feature Haydn's String Quartet in C Major, Op. 20, No. 2, Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 4 in D Major, Op. 83, and Beethoven's String Quartet No. 7 in F major ("Rasumovsky 1"), Op. 59/1. Tickets are $50 for the general public and $19 for UCSB students, who must show valid ID at ticket purchase and the evening of the show.
Formed in the bicentennial year of the United States, the Emerson String Quartet took its name from the great American poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. Violinists Eugene Drucker and Philip Setzer alternate in the first chair position and are joined by violist Lawrence Dutton and cellist David Finckel. The New York City-based group's impressive list of achievements includes a brilliant series of recordings exclusively documented by Deutsche Grammophon since 1987; eight Grammy Awards, including two for "Best Classical Album;" three Gramophone Magazine Awards; and performances of the complete cycles of Beethoven, Bartók, and Shostakovich quartets in major concert halls throughout the world.
Renowned for approaching classical and contemporary repertoire with equal mastery and enthusiasm, the group has collaborated with such artists as Emanuel Ax, Misha Dichter, Leon Fleisher, the Guarneri String Quartet, Thomas Hampson, Lynn Harrell, Barbara Bonney, Barbara Hendricks, the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio, Paul McCartney, Menahem Pressler, David Shifrin, Richard Stoltzman and the late Mstislav Rostropovich, Isaac Stern, and Oscar Shumsky.
Carnegie Hall honored the quartet last season with a historic eight-concert series in Isaac Stern Auditorium. Juxtaposing Beethoven's quartet repertoire with notable compositions spanning three centuries, the series met with an overwhelming response from audiences. The New York Times commented, "Concertgoers have come to count on these superb musicians, who are celebrating their 30th anniversary with this series and who continue to play with technical command, musical insight, vivid imagination, and tireless enthusiasm." The group also recently completed two extensive European tours, which included concerts in London, Vienna, Prague, Berlin, and Paris. As a special tribute, Deutsche Grammophon and iTunes teamed up to offer an exclusive three-disc retrospective of the Emerson in June.
The recital on October 23 is being presented with generous support from Christine and Robert Emmons. KCBX Public Radio, CASA Magazine Santa Barbara, and the Montecito Inn are event sponsors. Members of the Emerson String Quartet also will take part in a masterclass at UCSB's Geiringer Hall from 2 to 4 pm October 23. The latter event is free and open to the public.
UCSB Arts & Lectures and the Music Academy of the West also will co-present a concert featuring the celebrated singers Marilyn Horne and Barbara Cook at the newly renovated Granada Theatre on May 17. Ms. Horne, whose distinguished career has spanned more than five decades, has directed the Music Academy's acclaimed Voice Program for 10 years.
For tickets or more information, contact UCSB Arts & Lectures by phone at 805.893.3535 or online at www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.
UCSB Arts & Lectures provides UCSB and the surrounding community with a diverse array of cultural programming, each year presenting more than 100 events, including film screenings, lectures, and dance, theatrical, and musical performances. Arts & Lectures also manages UCSB's Regents' Lectureship Program and operates an artist-in-residence program featuring campus masterclasses, lecture-demonstrations, open rehearsals, and classroom discussions, in addition to visits to local elementary and high schools.
Founded in 1947, the Music Academy of the West is among the nation's preeminent summer schools and festivals for gifted young classical musicians. The Academy provides these promising musicians with the opportunity for advanced study and frequent performance under the guidance of internationally renowned faculty artists, as well as guest conductors and soloists. Academy alumni are members of major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, opera companies, and university and conservatory faculties throughout the world. Many enjoy careers as prominent solo artists. Based in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West presents more than 175 public events annually. For more information, visit www.musicacademy.org.
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