An April Evening with a String Quartet . . . Finale to MCOF Music Series 2013

Press Announcement:

What a perfect way to spend a romantic summer evening enjoying the pure sound of four string instruments playing music in unison.  This April 17, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ayala Museum, join Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation (MCOF) and Ayala Museum for an evening with the Philippine premiere of a string quartet, "Quartetto Espressivo" as the ensemble performs for you two of the most romantic works for string quartet ever written - Tchaikovsky's nostalgic first string quartet, and Verdi's heartwarming and the only String Quartet. This concert ends MCOF’s “Chamber Music Festival”, which opened last February 2013. 

 

Quartetto Espressivo won the first prize in the National Competition for Young Artists Chamber Music Category.  Each of the four members of the quartet are winners of the same music competition, and are regular members of the Manila Symphony Orchestra.  The quartet is composed by violinist Christian Tan, second violinist Sara Maria Gonzales, Violist Ray Casey Concepcion, and cellist Gerry Graham Gonzales.  The ensemble's mains advocacy is perform Filipino classical compositions in string quartet arrangements to bring further awareness on, and appreciation for Filipino Art Music.

Tchaikovsky's first string quartet work is considered the first major great Russian string quartet.  Its second movement, famous in its own right, was based on a folk song heard by the composer whistled by a house painter.  When the quartet was performed at a Tribute concert for Leo Tolstoy, it was said to have brought Tolstoy to tears.  As a tribute to Giuseppe Verdi on his birth bi-centennial this year, we present his dramatic and only String Quartet.  Written before the world premiere of his famous opera Aida, the work demands impeccable technique from its performers, but filled with beautiful melodies only the King of Opera can imagine.

The MCO Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization established in 1985 and is dedicated to the promotion of the classical arts.

For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999, MCOF at 750-0768 or 0920-9540053, and Allan 782-7164 or 0918-3473027.