St. Petersburg String Quartet Set for Music Mountain, 6/29-30

Celebrate the July 4th spirit early at America's oldest continuing summer chamber music festival, Music Mountain, when they resume their annual Twilight Series with Jive By Five on Saturday, June 29th (6:30PM) followed by the acclaimed St. Petersburg String Quartet performing a special Mozart / Shostakovich / Schubert program for another exquisite afternoon performance on June 30th (3PM). For the third summer, the popular and crowd-pleasing 'twilight' series will bring Jazz, Big Band and Country Music to Gordon Hall, in addition to the numerous string quartets that will perform in Falls Village through September 8th.

Dust off your dancing shoes for Jive By Five's toe-tapping musical fun. The Saturday evening program kicks off the summer Jazz season with the sizzling dance music of the Jazz Age featuring everything from the Charleston to the Two Step & the Fox Trot, this jazz-loving, rhythmic trio, led by the charming drummer Robert Parker, is sure to get audiences on their feet!

St. Petersburg String Quartet returns to Music Mountain on Sunday, June 30th (3PM) for another summer season performing Mozart: String Quartet in D Minor, K. 421; Shostakovich: String Quartet # 7 in F Sharp Minor. The concert concludes with probably the most popular chamber music work even written: Schubert: Quintet for Piano & Strings in A Major, Opus 114, D. 667, The Trout. Joining the St. Petersburg String Quartet will be guest artistsVictoria Schwartzman, Piano and Peter Askim, Bass.

The Grammy Award nominated quartet continues to maintain an active schedule, performing at Carnegie Hall, touring England and France, the US and Mexico. In 2009 St. Petersburg String Quartet launched the St. Petersburg International Music Academy, an intensive summer program for students, which they bring to various campuses and festivals in the USA and Mexico. In 2010 St. Petersburg Quartet was appointed the inaugural Quartet in Residence at Wichita State University. The Academy is at Music Mountain from June 27 to July 10.

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Victoria Schwartzman has performed all over the world as a soloist and a chamber musician. Also active in the field of opera, Ms. Schwartzman is on the coaching faculty in the Vocal Department at Montclair State University. Peter Askim is a respected composer, conductor, and bassist. He has been a member of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra and has had his works performed by Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, The Yale Symphony Orchestra, and The International Society of Bassists. Mr. Askim is currently the music director and composer-in-residence of The Idyllwild Arts Academy.

The Saturday Twilight series continues with the following schedule: Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks (July 13), Gunsmoke (July 20), Swingtime Big Band (July 27) and in their 20th Music Mountain appearance, The Galvanized Jazz Band (August 16).

Upcoming Chamber Music Concerts include: St. Petersburg String Quartet (July 7), Penderecki String Quartet (July 14), Arianna String Quartet (July 21), and Dover String Quartet (July 28).

Located in Falls Village, Connecticut, Music Mountain is located on Music Mountain Road, where a short scenic drive will bring music lovers to Gordon Hall with ample & free parking. Beer and wine are available and, as is the Music Mountain custom, audience members are invited to picnic before the concerts on the scenic grounds.

Tickets: Saturday: $30 at the door, $27 in advance. Sunday: $35 at the door, $30 in advance. Children ages 5-18 are admitted FREE for all concerts when accompanied by a ticket holder (Music Mountain gratefully acknowledges children admission support by the Hellen Plummer Foundation for a gift in memory of James Merrill, Connecticut's first Poet Laureate). All concerts begin at 6:30pm on Saturday evenings and 3pm on Sunday afternoons. Group rates and pre season ticket vouchers are available. Discounts apply through participating organizations. For a complete summer schedule, special ticket prices, and to download a ticket order form visit www.musicmountain.org or call 860-824-7126.

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