This sounds pretty darn cool. Check it:
An innovative group called the Chiara Quartet will be giving two concerts in Asheville in early March – one at the Unitarian Universalist Church and one at the newly-opened bar and restaurant, Lexington Avenue Brewery (a.k.a. The LAB) – in an effort to present classical music in different settings, appealing to different audiences. The Chiara’s performances have been described as “luminous,” “searing,” (New York Times) “soulful,” “biting,” and possessing a “potent collective force” (Strings Magazine).
At 8pm on Friday, March 5, 2010 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville the Chiara will perform as part of the Asheville Chamber Music Series (1 Edwin Place). Their concert will include Haydn’s Quartet in C Major, Op. 74, No. 1; the North Carolina premiere of composer Robert Sirota’s Triptych; and Beethoven’s Quartet in A minor, Op. 132. Written to commemorate the victims of September 11, Triptych had an emotional first performance at Trinity Church on Wall Street, one of the churches on the periphery of Ground Zero, by the Chiara Quartet, which has also commercially recorded the work. The composer of the piece is Chiara Quartet violist Jonah Sirota’s father.
In addition, the Asheville Chamber Music Series will sponsor a special appearance by the Chiara Quartet in one of the ensemble’s signature classical-in-a-club concerts at 9:30pm on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at the brand new and chic The LAB (39 N. Lexington). The concert, called “Beethoven in Bars,” will feature excerpts from Beethoven’s string quartets as well as selections from today’s hottest young, next-generation composers. In keeping with their commitment to bring classical music to uncommon places and to new audiences, the Chiara devotes a portion of its performance season to concerts in venues that don’t usually present classical music, like this one at The LAB. They have performed previously at Galapagos Art Space in New York, The Tractor Tavern in Seattle, Avant Garden in Houston, and the Hideout in Chicago, among many others.
Chiara Quartet online:
www.chiaraquartet.com
www.myspace.com/chiarastringquartet
www.facebook.com/chiarastringquartetAudio:
Brahms: Quartet in A Minor, Op. 51 No.2
I. Andante Moderato http://www.christinajensenpr.com/index.php?page=songwriter&display=519&from=0Gabriela Lena Frank: “Coqueteos” from Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout
http://www.christinajensenpr.com/index.php?page=songwriter&display=520&from=0
Video:
The Chiara Quartet (with guest violinist Curtis Macomber) performs Jefferson Friedman’s String Quartet no. 2 mvt. I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvigLhP2Wxc&feature=player_profilepageThe Chiara Quartet performs Jefferson Friedman’s String Quartet no. 3 III. Epilogue-Lullaby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWnEipXBJNA&feature=player_profilepage#t=30The Chiara Quartet performs Mestizaje: Harmony of Differences Merkin Concert Hall Act 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dR-9jfLxWk&feature=player_profilepage