Image: 2011-01-26 21:28:15
On Friday, Virginia Tech will have the pleasure of witnessing a performance by the Emerson String Quartet at The Lyric.
The group, which has consistently sold out performances at the Smithsonian Institution for 30 years, as well as numerous international venues, will be hosted by the Virginia Tech Performing Arts Center.
“With musicians like this, there must be some hope for humanity,” raved The Times of London.
Formed 32 years ago, the Emerson String Quartet has earned with many accolades, a variety of high profile performances and worldwide fame.
The less-than-ordinary group’s talents have been chronicled on film and in print. Currently based at the State University of New York in Stony Brook, the quartet has coached chamber music, given masters classes and provided instrumental instruction since 2002.
The Emerson String Quartet takes its name from famed poet Ralph Waldo Emerson.
It consists of violinists Eugene Drucker and Philip Setzer, who alternate between playing first and second parts. Lawrence Dutton on the viola and cellist David Finckel round out the foursome. Individually and as a group, the quartet has performed in concert halls across the world.
From Beethoven tours in Europe to concert series at Carnegie Hall, the Emerson String Quartet has been sharing its art with the masses of classical music lovers.
Under classical music label Deutsche Grammophon, the group has released 30 recordings that have won numerous prestigious awards in the musical community. The quartet boasts nine Grammy awards, under the categories “Best Classical Album” and “Best Chamber Music Performance.” Also on the quartet’s resume are awards such as Gramophone Magazine’s “Record of the Year” and its title as the 18th recipient of the Avery Fisher Prize, being the first chamber music group to receive the honor.
The group regularly puts its talents to philanthropic use as well, performing benefits for a variety of causes such as campaigns against world hunger and diseases regarding children’s’ welfare.
A version of this article appeared in the Jan 27 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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