THE NEW ESTERHAZY QUARTET – “String Quartet in D Major, Opus 20 No. 4” by Haydn
The New Esterhazy Quartet performs this Presto Scherzando movement on original instruments. The group was founded in 2006 in the Bay Area. Haydn’s 68 string quartets are at the core of their repertoire. The New Esterházy Quartet, recognized as one of the world's top period-instrument string quartets, presents "The Birth of the String Quartet," performing three quartets: Mozart's Quartet in D, K575, Haydn's String Quartet in C, Op. 20 No. 2, and Boccherini's Quartet in A, Op. 8 No. 6. The members of NEQ are internationally-known period-instrument and chamber music specialists Kati Kyme and Lisa Weiss, violins, violist Anthony Martin, and cellist William Skeen. They're performing tonight, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
JAMES GALWAY – “Sonata for Flute and Piano – I. Allegro Malinconico” by Francis Poulenc
For many Sacramento concertgoers the annual Faculty, Alumni, and Friends Gala is the highlight of the New Millennium Series. This year’s gala will highlight virtuoso Flautist Laurel Zucker, who will join forces with pianist John Cozza in a performance of Francis Poulenc’s elegant Sonata for Flute and Piano, which was originally premiered by Jean-Pierre Rampal and the composer. Percussionist Daniel Kennedy will also bring his consummate skill and extraordinary musical range to our concert stage. He will play at the Faculty, Friends and Alumni Gala on February 15.
DAWN UPSHAW – “Song of Black Max” by William Bolcom
Five time Grammy winner Dawn Upshaw has achieved worldwide celebrity as both a recitalist and performer of opera, with a repertoire spanning 250 years. She has received awards and distinctions accorded to only the most distinguished artists. In 2007 she was named a Fellow of the MacArthur Foundation, the first vocal artist to be awarded the organization's five-year “genius” prize, and in 2008 was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. She will be joined on the New Millennium Series by her longtime collaborator, the legendary pianist Gilbert Kalish, in a program of songs by Franz Schubert, Bela Bartok, Rebecca Clarke and William Bolcom. Dawn Upshaw will be performing with Gil Kalish on March 15.
THE TAKACS QUARTET – “String Quartet No. 13 in B Flat, Op. 130 – V. Cavatina (Adagio Molto Espressivo)” by Beethoven
The Grammy award winning Takács Quartet, now entering its forty-third season, is internationaly renowned for the vitality of its interpretations. They are the first string quartet to win the Wigmore Hall Medal. Their touring this season includes stops in Copenhagen, Vienna, Luxembourg, Rotterdam the Edinburgh Festival, the Aspen and Tanglewood Festivals and Carnegie Hall. The first string quartet to win the Wigmore Hall Medal, their inaugural visit to Sacramento will find them performing works by Mozart, Mendelssohn and Beethoven’s monumental Opus 131. The Hungarian string quartet is now based out of Colorado. This recording is from their 2005 Decca release “Beethoven String Quartets Vol. 3.” They’re performing at on April 19th.