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The West End String Quartet welcomes John Biatowas on viola!

Concerts

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010, 7:30pm Berkman Auditorium
The Hartt School, University of Hartford

Admission: Free

Program: Mendelssohn String Quartet in e minor, Op. 44, No. 2
Bartok String Quartet No. 1, Op. 7
Beethoven String Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 74 "Harp"

Monday, May 3rd, 2010, 1:30pm Hartt Community Division Faculty Recital
725 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT

Simsbury Public Library Lunchtime Concert Series. Admission: Free

Program: Chamber music by Hartt Community Division faculty, including the West End String Quartet performing Bartok's String Quartet No. 1.

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009, 7:30pm Hamlin Hall, Trinity College
300 Summit Street, Hartford

Admission: Free (Be sure to arrive early for a seat in this popular venue!) Visit the Trinity College website for directions.

Program:

  • Haydn - Quartet in d minor, 76:2
  • Rebecca Clarke - Two Movements for String Quartet
  • Dan Roman - Sonora Complexidad
  • Astor Piazzolla - Introduccion y Muerte del Angel
  • Four, for Tango
Thursday, September 24th, 2009, 7:00pm An Evening of New Music at Capital Community College
Centinel Hill Hall Auditorium, 950 Main Street, Hartford

Admission: Free. (Note: Free and secure parking will be available during the concert in the Columbus Boulevard Parking Lot.)

This concert features several local composers and performers. WESQ will perform two pieces: A Muse by David Macbridge and selected movements of String Quartet #1 by Arthur Hernandez.

Saturday, May 16th, 2009, 7:30pm St. Augustine's Church
35 Washington Avenue, Seymour, CT

The quartet will perform Beethoven's Quartet Opus 18, No. 6; James Lindsay's Second String Quartet, and Schumann's Quartet Opus 41, No. 3. Free will offering, reception to follow. See program details below.

Works to be performed:

String Quartet #2

James T. Lindsay

James Lindsay's Second String Quartet was composed in 2002 through 2003, with revisions being made in 2008. This afternoon's concert is the world premiere. While not minimalist in its entirety, the piece incorporates the minimalist qualities of pulsation and use of ostinato. The work is in three movements. The first movement, an allegro, is primarily in 4/4. It's main theme of a minor ninth followed by a minor second is developed and explored throughout. The second movement, a moderato, is characterized by expanding harmonies beginning with a major second and ending in an octave. The third movement, a vivace, contains a constant eighth note pulse with alternating duple and triple meters. The main theme, appearing in the tenth measure, began as a dodecaphonic composition but is broken down into smaller pieces appearing throughout the movement.

String Quartet in A major, Op. 41 No. 3

Robert Schumann

Schumann composed only three string quartets, all in the summer of 1842, in the midst of his “chamber year.” Influenced by Beethoven, Schumann wanted to create an over-arching sense of unity in his large-scale works (though the fanciful nature of his better-known piano miniatures still shines through). In all of the movements of this quartet, a sense of conflict is created through contrast between rhythmic stability and instability. The third movement is in a form borrowed from vocal music, where the verses of the melody are repeated with varied accompaniment.

Sunday, February 1st, 2009, 2pm St. James's Episcopal Church
1018 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06107

This concert will include the premier of New Haven composer Jay Lindsay's "String Quartet No. 2", as well as Schumann's Op. 41, no. 3.

Saturday, January 31st, 2009, 7pm Ives Vocal Marathon
Crowell Concert Hall, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT

Neely Bruce's Ives Vocal Marathon culminates with seven concerts over three days, with a variety of programs. WESQ will be performing on the "Experimental Ives" concert. Tickets are $5/$4 students and seniors. For more info, visit www.ivesvocalmarathon.com

Saturday, September 27th, 2008, 7pm Charles Ives Concert
814 Asylum Ave, Hartford, CT

In honor of Ives' 100th wedding anniversary. At the Asylum Hill Congregational Church. Admission $15. www.ahcc.org

Friday, April 4th, 2008, 8pm Hamlin Hall, Trinity College 300 Summit Street, Hartford, CT

Visit the Trinity College Website!

Sunday, January 20th, 2008, 7:30pm St Augustine Church
10 Campfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114

The WESQ joins clarinetist Giancarlo Bazzano for Mozart's Clarinet Quintet. Program also includes works for clarinet and piano by Bach, Gershwin, Opperman, and Saint-Saens, with Daniel Pereira on piano.

November 10th, 2007, 8pm Assumption Church
27 Adams St. S Manchester, CT 06040

Free will donations will be taken at the door.

November 9th, 2007, 8pm St Isaac Jogues Church
1 Community St East Hartford, CT 06108

Free will donations will be taken at the door.