The Ives Quartet Announces Winter Concert Series
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact Pam Lampkin
January 14, 2008
Tel: 650.224.7849 info@ivescollective.org
COMPOSING IN ISOLATION
FEB. 8, 2008, Fri. 8PM, (ST. MARK’S CHURCH, PALO ALTO)
FEB. 10, 2008, Sun. 7PM, (LE PETIT TRIANON, SAN JOSE)
Featuring Leo Ornstein – Quartet No. 2, in a program with
Franz Joseph Haydn – Quartet in C Major, Op. 20, No.2
Ludwig van Beethoven – Quartet in F Major, Op.59, No.1
A pre-concert talk begins 45 minutes before each concert. Look forward to musical insights, personal anecdotes and historical perspective as guest host, Severo Ornstein, son of our featured composer, shares memories of his father.
Palo Alto, CA – Inspired by the passionate, artistic commitment of American composer Charles Ives (1874-1954), the Ives Quartet provides powerful musical experiences by presenting fresh and informed interpretations of a carefully curated repertory to San Francisco Bay Area, American and international audiences. Committed to performing under-appreciated gems and neglected scores of early 20th century composers, the Ives Quartet continues its exploration of the work of composer Leo Ornstein.
Leo Ornstein, (December 2, 1893 – February 24, 2002) born in Russian-ruled Ukraine, was one of the leading American experimental composers and pianists of the early twentieth century. However, in the mid 1920’s, at the height of a highly successful concert career, he suddenly ceased performing. During the ensuing years in relative isolation (he made occasional appearances until the 30’s), he devoted his life to education and composition. Thanks to the continuing efforts of his son, Severo, recent musicological scholarship (including a recently released biography), and celebrated new recordings of his music, Ornstein is being discovered by musicians and audiences across the United States.
Ornstein’s isolation from the public was a conscious choice. For Haydn, isolation for a significant part of his working life was due to his employment at the remote Esterhazy court where he composed on demand and managed all things musical. Removed from the musical mainstream, he became independently creative and influential in the development of the symphony and string quartet. His Op. 20 quartets (1772) are watershed works in the evolution of the genre.
Beethoven was isolated from the sound of his own music by deafness, a condition deeply frustrating and depressing. His malady limited social interaction and prevented him from performing in public. However, it did not diminish his compositional powers, as witnessed in the expansive size and heroic expression of the Op. 59 string quartets, written for Count Razumovsky in 1806.
The Ives Quartet combines the talent and experience of the international, solo, orchestral, chamber, and recording careers of its artist members – Bettina Mussumeli, violin; Susan Freier, violin; Jodi Levitz, viola; and Stephen Harrison, cello.
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Tickets available at
http://www.ivescollective.org/tickets.htm
B/W and Color jpg photos available athttp://ivescollective.org/news.htm#photo
or call (650) 224-7849