Schenectady, N.Y. (April 13, 1998) – The Emerson String Quartet, one of the world's foremost string quartets, will perform at Union College's Memorial Chapel on Sunday, April 26, at 3 p.m. as part of the Schenectady Museum-Union College Concert Series.
This is the quartet's fourteenth Series appearance.
The program is to include Beethoven's Op. 135 in F; Shostakovich's No. 10 in A-flat, Op. 118; and Beethoven's Op. 130 in B flat with Gross Fuge, Op. 133.
The Emerson String Quartet, which takes its name from the great American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, was founded in 1976. Members include Philip Setzer and Eugene Drucker, violins; Lawrence Dutton, viola; and David Finckel, cello.
Acclaimed for its artistry and dynamic performance style and its mastery of both classical and contemporary works, the Emerson's impressive list of achievements includes an exclusive Deutsche Grammophon recording contract; four Grammy Awards, including one this year for their recording of the complete Beethoven string quartets; and Gramophone Magazine's Record of the Year awards.
The New York Times has called the Quartet “one of the hottest quartets,” and praises its “consistently insightful, polished concert performances” and “series of brilliant recordings for Deutsche Grammophon.” The Financial Times (London) has said: “As one of the foremost chamber ensembles around today, the Emerson provides a special kind of musical nourishment all too rare.”
The concert at Union College will include two of the late great Beethoven string quartets which the Emerson Quartet will perform one week later, on May 3, at Tully Hall at Lincoln Center.
The Schenectady Museum-Union College chamber concerts are made possible, in part, by a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts and the Schenectady County Initiative Program.
Memorial Chapel is located near the center of the Union campus. Parking is available on campus and on nearby sidestreets.
Tickets, at $20 ($8 for students), are available in advance at the Schenectady Museum (518)382-7890 and at the door at 7 p.m. For more information, call 372-3651.