Richard P.Garmany Chamber Music Series Opens With Emerson String Quartet, 10/13

The Hartt School, the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford, will present the Emerson String Quartet on Thursday evening, October 13, 2011, at 7:30 PM, in Millard Auditorium on the University of Hartford's West Hartford campus. Individual concert tickets are $35 and Series subscriptions are $120, with discounts on individual tickets and subscriptions for seniors, educators, University of Hartford alumni, students, and groups.

As the first concert of the 2011-2012 Richard P.Garmany Chamber Music Series, the Emerson's appearance will also mark the first time the internationally celebrated quartet has performed at the school since concluding its 21-year residency a decade ago.

The program features works by Mozart, Shostakovich, and Dvorak.

"We're thrilled that the Emerson Quartet, which has had such a long and important relationship with The Hartt School. Is returning to perform here after an absence of ten years," says Steve Metcalf, curator of the Garmany Chamber Music Series. "This will truly be an historic event."

As an additional highlight of the evening, University of Hartford president Walter Harrison will recognize the Emerson's contributions to the school, and to the wider music world, by bestowing honorary doctorates on the quartet members, Philip Setzer, violin; Eugene Drucker, violin; Lawrence Dutton, viola; and David Finckel, cello.

Formed in 1976, The Emerson String Quartet has released more than 30 albums and received nine Grammy Awards, including the 1989 Grammy® Award for "Best Classical Album" and "Best Chamber Music Performance" and Gramophone Magazine's 1989 "Record of the Year" -- the first time in the history of each award that a chamber music ensemble had ever received the top prize. In 1994 the group received the University Medal for Distinguished Service from the University of Hartford.

A special pre-concert dinner precedes the performance and begins at 6:00 PM in the University's 1877 Club. Patrons may purchase Series subscriptions or individual tickets to the performances and/or the pre-concert dinners. Dinner tickets are $35 each. To purchase Series subscriptions or individual tickets, or to get additional information, please call the University of Hartford Box Office at 860.768.4228 or 800.274.8587. To purchase tickets online, please visit www.hartford.edu/hartt.

The Richard P. Garmany Chamber Music Series for 2011-2012 also includes performances by Regina Carter on Thursday, November 17, 2011; ECCO (East Coast Chamber Orchestra) on Thursday, February 2, 2012; and the Carter Bray, cello & Christopher O'Riley, piano, on Thursday, April 19, 2012. The Garmany Series, which quickly has established itself as the region's premier showcase for visiting chamber music artists, is made possible in part by a grant from the Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

Regina Carter - November 17, 2011; 7:30 PM; Millard Auditorium.
One of the most versatile and imaginative artists of our time, violinist Regina Carter will appear with her five-person ensemble to perform tracks from Reverse Thread, her recently-released, internationally acclaimed album of African roots music. A 2006 winner of a MacArthur Foundation award - the so-called "genius" grant - Ms. Carter is an iconic figure in contemporary American music. "Remarkable...thrilling. The communication between the band members is telepathic, the mood joyous." bebopified
www.reginacarter.com

ECCO (East Coast Chamber Orchestra) - February 2, 2012; 7:30 PM; Lincoln Theater.
This young 17-member conductorless string orchestra has been hailed as "dramatic," "magically expressive," and "truly spectacular." ECCO's members - many still in their twenties - are among the most brilliant and sought-after young chamber players and freelance musicians in the country, devoted to reenergizing the concert experience, both for seasoned listeners and for classical newcomers. "...classical music's future." The Washington Post
www.eastcoastchamberorchestra.com

Carter Brey, cello, and Christopher O'Riley, piano - April 19, 2012; 7:30 PM; Millard Auditorium.
Two of the music world's most visible and admired performers. As principal cellist of the New York Philharmonic and as an active soloist and chamber player, Brey is known to audiences around the world. Host of Public Radio's long-running program "From the Top," and acclaimed for his groundbreaking transcriptions of the songs of Radiohead and other rock artists, O'Riley is recognized as one of classical music's visionary performers and thinkers.
www.christopheroriley.com

The Hartt School is the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford that offers innovative degree programs in music, dance, and theatre. Founded 90 years ago, Hartt has been an integral part of the University of Hartford since its charter merged the then Hartt School of Music, the Hartford Art School, and Hillyer College to create the University in 1957. 2010 marks Hartt's 90th year of providing world class performing arts education to students in Greater-Hartford and around the world. With more than 400 concerts, recitals, plays, master classes, dance performances, and musical theatre productions a year, performance is central to Hartt's curriculum. For more information about The Hartt School, visit www.hartford.edu/hartt.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for the 29-town Greater Hartford region, dedicated to improving the quality of life for area residents for the past 85 years. The Foundation receives gifts from thousands of generous individuals and families, and last year, awarded grants of nearly $27 million to a broad range of area nonprofit organizations. For more information about the Hartford Foundation, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.

Richard P. Garmany lived in Avon and was an executive at Aetna, and created the Fund at the Hartford Foundation before his death in July 2008. Hartt's chamber series was among the first recipients of a grant awarded by the Fund and thanks in part to the success of the Series, the gift was renewed and increased for the 2010- 2011 season and the 2011-2012 season.

Photo Credit: Marie Mazzucco

 

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