The Momenta Quartet
Fire, Fantasy and Absolute Commitment, title of Sunday concert
The Momenta Quartet, celebrated for its innovative explorations in programming, returns to The Chapel Restoration in Cold Spring on Sunday, May 20, at 4 p.m. for Chamber Music Month. Juxtaposing contemporary works with music from the classical canon, this quartet promises a rich palette of musical experience from Dalit Warshaw’s Elegy on a Theme of Sappho (2006), String Quartet no. 2 “Company”, a 1983 composition by Philip Glass, and Franz Schubert’s String Quartet no. 13 in A minor (Rosamunde), D. 804, Op.29.
Warshaw’s Elegy was inspired by legendary Greek poetess, Sappho; Philip Glass’ original work was created for a theatrical rendition of Samuel Beckett’s play, “Company”, and Schubert’s Rosamunde written in 1823 for the play of that name is the source of some of the composer’s most well-known excerpts.
Momenta violinist Emilie-Anne Gendron, a graduate of the Juilliard School and Columbia University, has performed at Avery Fisher Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Seoul Arts Center among others, and has been lauded by the New York Times as a “brilliant soloist.” “What is striking in this young violinist is the remarkable security of her bow arm … the right hand is never mislaid and allows her to maintain a sensual sound from pianissimo to fortissimo,” states a review of her performance at the Louvre. A prize-winning musician, Ms. Gendron is an avid supporter of new music.
“Fiery full-throttle performance” is what the New York Times prepares us to expect from violist Stephanie Griffin, while the Los Angeles Times proclaims her “enthralling!” Renowned as a soloist, chamber and avant-jazz musician, Ms. Griffin is the principal violist for the Princeton Symphony and holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Juilliard School. She is a regular guest with Continuum and member of the Argento Chamber Ensemble and the Riverside Symphony, among others.
Cellist Michael Haas, recognized for his “refined and attractive” style by the New York Times, has appeared at Alice Tully Hall, the Kennedy Center, Tanglewood, the Taos music festivals, and has been guest cellist at the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. Mr. Haas holds degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and the Juilliard School.
Violinist Cecilia Belcher, a member of the St. Louis Symphony for the 2010-2011 season, has also performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Houston Symphony, Verbier Festival Orchestra, and numerous chamber orchestras. She was a member of the New World Symphony from 2006-08 serving as a rotating concertmaster and principal second violin. Belcher has participated in the Banff Music Centre master-class program, Tanglewood Music Festival, Beijing International Music Festival and Academy in China, Verbier Festival in Switzerland, and the Aspen Music Festival as a fellowship recipient.
This concert is made possible, in part, by New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the State Legislature and public funds from Putnam County. These grants are managed and monitored by Putnam Arts Council. Admission to the concert is free. Contributions from the public are welcome.
The Chapel sits atop a knoll overlooking the Hudson River at 45 Market Street with free parking available for concertgoers in the adjacent Metro North Station. For more information visit the Chapel Restoration website.
Photo courtesy of Momenta Quartet
