BSOM News
Butler School of Music Season Closes with Meaningful Recital by Miró Quartet
April 30, 2012
AUSTIN, Tx - In preparation for an upcoming recording with Longhorn Records, the Miró Quartet will perform the complete Op. 59 quartets of Beethoven. This performance will close the 2011-12 season at the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin.
The three "Razumovsky" string quartets of Ludwig van Beethoven are considered the benchmark cycle for any professional quartet. Beethoven wrote the pieces at around the same age as the members of the Miró Quartet. As an ensemble always seeking to broaden their understanding of the works they perform, the musicians chose to delve into Beethoven's famous work to explore its meaning from the vantage point of being around the same age as the composer.
However, the ensemble went one step further to add another layer meaning to their work. The quartet will perform both live and in the studio on fine instruments on loan from a private donor and from Reuning & Son Violins in Boston. Daniel Ching, first violin, will perform on an Antonio Stradivarius, made in Cremona, c. 1711. William Fedkenheuer, second violin, will perform on a Nicola Bergonzi, made in Cremona, c. 1790. John Largess, viola, will perform on an Antonio Casini, made in Modena, c. 1690 which previously belonged to Raphael Hillyer, the founding violist of the Julliard String Quartet. Joshua Gindele, cello, will perform on a Carlo Tononi, made in Venice, c. 1730 which previously belonged to acclaimed cellist, Pablo Casals.
"Great instruments teach us how to play our own instruments better," said Gindele. "There is a sense of tradition and history. My teacher studied with Casals and this opportunity is a link to the past – to the musicians who made composers like Beethoven great."
The album will be recorded in late May and is set to release during the fall semester this year.
The Miró Quartet will perform the complete Op. 59 quartets of Beethoven live on these fine instruments on Sunday, May 6 at 4:00 p.m. in Bates Recital Hall on the University of Texas at Austin Campus. Tickets are available one hour prior to performance. $20 general admission, $17 seniors and UT faculty/staff, $10 all students.
Photo by Nathan Russell