Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Martha'sVineyardPatch.com: 'MVCMS heads Up-Town to bring the Harlem String Quartet to the Island.'

[Harlem Quartet]

Martha'sVineyardPatch.com
The Martha's Vineyard Chamber Music Society brings a variety of New York City musicians to the Island over the next two weeks.
By Mathea Morais
August 9, 2011
“If you missed last night's Martha's Vineyard Chamber Music Society (MVCMS) concert at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown, you need not worry. You can catch the same concert tonight, August 9, at the Chilmark Community Center. In fact, you can see some of the Island's, the country's and even some of the world's premier classical musicians at both of these venues on Monday and Tuesday nights all summer.”

“Next week, the MVCMS heads Up-Town to bring the Harlem String Quartet to the Island. Not all of the members are Harlem-based—there is a violinist from Cuba—but all four musicians were First Place Laureates of the Sphinx Competition, dedicated to highlighting works by minority composers while advancing diversity in classical music for young and new audiences. The Sphinx Organization is based in Harlem and the first Harlem String Quartet performance took place at the famous Apollo Theater there.

“Hailed by the press as 'remarkable' and 'fresh,' the group includes Melissa White on violin, who has won international recognition for her playing. 'I'm always trying to encourage young people to get involved with Chamber Music, because I believe it is our highest form of music,' said Stevens. 'If anyone can inspire young people to get involved in this type of music, it is the Harlem String Quartet.' The group will be performing such pieces as Beethoven's String Quartet in D Major, OP.18 #3, Dvorak's Piano Quintet in A Major, op. 81 and Chick Corea's Adventures of Hippocrates. 'They are returning this year after two years,' said Stevens, 'and I'm really looking forward to hearing them again.'

“The final MVCMS concerts take place August 9, 8 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Center; August 15, 8 p.m. at the Old Whaling Church; and August 16, 8 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Center.

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