Montgomery Chamber Music kicks off new season Tuesday
The halls of the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts will come alive with the sound of music as the Montgomery Chamber Music Organization strikes up another new season this Tuesday.
The Jasper String Quartet will begin the MCMO's 56th season with pianist Gilles Vonsattel at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday preceded by a reception beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby.
Last year, MCMO held a very special 55th anniversary celebration with a finale performance by the Russian group, Hermitage Piano Trio. Each year the organization's board brings some of the best musicians to Montgomery to perform. Some are returning favorites and others are younger groups like the Jasper Quartet said Pam Paine, longtime-serving board member.
"This particular group is very young. It's the first time they will have come to Montgomery," Paine said. "They have won a string of prizes over the last five years which is making them extremely prestigious and 'up-and-coming.'"
The Philadelphia-based group is the winner of the prestigious CMA Cleveland Quartet Award and is the Professional Quartet in Residence at Temple University's Center for Gifted Young Musicians.
The four members of the quartet play the violin, the cello and the viola and will be performing Mozart, string quartet in D Major, Barber, string quartet in B Minor, Op. 11 and Brahms, piano quintet in F Minor, Op. 34 during their Montgomery concert.
Formed at Oberlin Conservatory, the Jaspers began pursuing a professional career in 2006 while studying with James Dunham, Norman Fischer, and Kenneth Goldsmith as Rice University’s Graduate Quartet-in-Residence. They derive their name from the Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada.
In addition to performing on Tuesday, they will visit the Baldwin Arts and Academics Magnet school Wednesday morning to teach students learning stringed instruments. It is a part of the Jasper Quartet's educational outreach grant and will teach the students one-on-one at no charge to the Montgomery Public Schools.
There, they will show students the bowing and fingering techniques as well as how to overcome stage-fright and nervousness Paine said.
Want to go?
Where- Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Wilson Auditorium
When- 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday
Tickets- call 334-277-3505, visit montgomerychambermusic.org, or at the door
(student prices available)
This season's schedule
Nov 15 at 7:30 p.m.- Modigliani String Quartet
Feb. 9 - Faure Piano Quartette
April 4 - Ebene String Quartet with special spring supper fundraiser