Founded in 1934, Smetana Trio is today’s foremost Czech chamber ensemble. Currently comprised of Jitka Čechová (piano), Jiří Vodička (violin), and Jan Páleníček (cello), the trio perpetuates the interpretational ideals created by their illustrious predecessors as well as other superlative 20th-century chamber music soloists. The Smetana Trio was recently awarded the 2017 BBC Music Magazine Award, the world’s only classical music award voted on by the public.
Program
Alexander Zemlinsky: Trio in D Minor, Op. 3; Dmitri Shostakovich: Piano Trio No. 1, Op. 8; Felix Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49
One of the best loved among ArtPower string quartets, known for their breathtaking performances, flawless technique, and visionary interpretations, the Meccore Quartet is one of Europe’s most compelling young ensembles. Formed in 2007 by four of Europe’s most celebrated young string players, the quartet has enthralled music lovers across Europe and America. They have received numerous awards at prestigious chamber music competitions, such as Italy’s Paolo Borciani Competition, the Wigmore Hall String Quartet Competition in London, and the Max Reger International Chamber Music Competition.
Program
Edvard Greig: String Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 27; Robert Schumann: Quartet in A Minor; Karol Szymanowski: String Quartet No. 2
Praised by Strad magazine for their “high-octane” performances, the Aeolus Quartet is one of the finest young quartets touring today. Formed in 2008 at the Cleveland Institute of Music by violinists Nicholas Tavani and Rachel Shapiro, violist Gregory Luce, and cellist Alan Richardson, the quartet is committed to presenting time-seasoned masterpieces and new cutting-edge works with freshness, dedication, and fervor. Since its inception, the all-American quartet has been awarded prizes at nearly every major competition in the United States and performed across the globe with showings “worthy of a major-league quartet” (Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News).
Program
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet No.14, Op.131; W.A. Mozart: Adagio and Fugue in C minor; Charles Ives: String Quartet no. 2
After a rave reception at their San Diego debut at ArtPower in 2016, the Grammy-winning Harlem Quartet is bringing back its “new attitude to classical music, one that is fresh, bracing, and intelligent” (Cincinnati Enquirer). Passionate about advancing diversity in classical music, the quartet engages young audiences by drawing attention to works by minority composers. Since debuting in 2006 at Carnegie Hall, they have performed throughout the U.S. as well as in France, the U.K., Belgium, Panama, Canada, and in South Africa, where under the auspices of the U.S. State Department they spent two weeks on tour performing concerts and participating in outreach activities.
Program
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet No. 11 in F Minor, Op. 95 “Serioso”; W.A. Mozart: String Quartet No.17 in B-flat Major, K.458; Anton Webern: Langsamer Satz; Antônio Carlos Jobim: The Girl from Ipanema (arranged by Dave Glenn and Harlem Quartet); Guido López Gavilán: Cuarteto en Guaguancó
Back by popular demand, the “witty, buoyant, and widely attentive” (The Gazette, Montreal) St. Lawrence String Quartet has developed an undisputed reputation as a truly world-class chamber ensemble. Serving as ensemble-in-residence at Stanford University since 1998, the quartet continues to build their reputation for imaginative and spontaneous music making through an energetic commitment to the established quartet literature, as well as the championing of new works by such composers as John Adams, Osvaldo Golijov, Ezequiel Viñao, and Jonathan Berger.
Program
John Adams: Second Quartet; Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135; Camille Saint-Saëns: String Quartet No. 1, Op. 112
Characterized by their youth, brilliant playing, and soulful interpretations, the Ariel Quartet has quickly earned a glowing international reputation. Formed in Israel 16 years ago, when the members were young students, the quartet was recently awarded the prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award. They currently serve as the faculty quartet-in-residence at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, where they direct the chamber music program and perform their own annual series of concerts—a remarkable achievement for an ensemble so young. This award-winning quartet has performed widely in North America, Europe, and Israel, and will be making their San Diego debut at ArtPower.
Program
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quartet in A Major, Op. 18, No. 5; Mahammed Fairouz: New Commission; Robert Schumann: Quartet in A Major, Op. 41, No. 3
The New Yorker recently dubbed the Dover Quartet as “the young American string quartet of the moment.” The group catapulted to international stardom following a stunning sweep of the 2013 Banff International String Quartet competition, becoming one of the most in-demand ensembles in the world. They return to the ArtPower stage with Avi Avital, one of the world’s most exciting and adventurous musicians. Acknowledged by the New York Times for his “exquisitely sensitive playing” and “stunning agility,” Avital is the first-ever mandolin player to receive a Grammy Award nomination in the Best Instrumental Soloist category.
Program
Johann Sebastian Bach: Chaconne in D Minor, for solo mandolin; David Bruce: Cymbeline for string quartet and mandolin; Bedřich Smetana: Quartet No. 1, “From My Life”; Sulkhan Tsintsadze: Six Miniatures for string quartet and mandolin
Named “one of the eminent string quartets of our era” by Classical Voice, the Grammy-nominated Ensō String Quartet has risen to the front rank of chamber music performers. Founded at Yale University in 1999, the quartet has been described by Strad magazine as “thrilling,” and praised by the Washington Post for its “glorious sonorities.” The quartet quickly went on to win numerous awards, including top prizes at the Concert Artist Guild competition and the Banff International String Quartet competition. Derived from the Japanese zen painting of the circle, enso represents many things: perfection and imperfection, the moment of chaos that is creation, the emptiness of the void, the endless circle of life, and the fullness of the spirit.
Program
Alberto Ginastera: String Quartet No. 2; Giacomo Puccini: Crisantemi; Maurice Ravel: String Quartet in F Major; Hugo Wolf: Italian Serenade
