“The musicianship, experience, and sophisticated intent of this group continue to grow, and to hear the rhythmic vitality in the inner voices is always a treat.” — The Boston Globe
The renowned Guarneri String Quartet, which is retiring at the end of the 2008 season, “is among the most revered and enduring ensembles of its kind in the world” (National Public Radio). The Quartet has circled the globe countless times since it was formed in 1964, playing the most prestigious halls in North and South America, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In the coming year the quartet will celebrate by doing what it does best — touring extensively throughout the United States.
“...impressive in voice, phrasing, and gesture.” — The Baltimore Sun
Dale Duesing began his musical studies in Milwaukee as a pianist. At Lawrence University he switched from piano to voice and has subsequently pursued a major international vocal career.
Duesing has sung in many of the leading opera houses of the world and has appeared as soloist with some of the world’s greatest orchestras, including the New York and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras, the Chicago and Boston Symphony Orchestras, the Concertgebouw, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Santa Cecilia of Rome.
His directorial debut of Il Viaggio al Rheims for the Frankfurt Opera was greeted with huge critical acclaim and nominated for Opernwelt’s best production and best director.
Duesing was awarded the Opernwelt “Singer of the Year” for his Wozzeck and Beckmesser and received a GRAMMY® Award for The Lovers by Samuel Barber with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
“Some of the most beautiful and unusual chamber music of the season...a performance of remarkable intensity...” — The Washington Post
Percussion Group Cincinnati was founded in 1979 and consists of members Allen Otte, James Culley, and Russell Burge, all of whom are faculty members and ensemble-in-residence at the College-Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati. Appearances in their national and international touring schedule have included the major cities, festivals, concert halls, and schools of America, Europe, and Asia.
Over the past 25 years, many young composers from the United States, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia have created a large body of new and often experimental music for the unique talents of Percussion Group Cincinnati. The group’s work appears on various CDs, including its own ars moderno label. The group’s recording of John Luther Adams’ eveninglength Strange and Sacred Noise was released in surround-sound by Mode this year. They are currently working on their contribution to the series of Mode Records’ integrated set of the complete music of John Cage, and on a 25-year retrospective multi-disc set including performances from the group’s entire history.
“...the Most remarkable virtuoso in the relatively unchronicled history of his instrument...” — The New Yorker
Prominently established as a unique and masterful instrumentalist, Edgar Meyer delights his audiences both as a vibrant performer and an innovative composer. Meyer’s unparalleled technique and musicianship, in combination with his gift for composition, have brought him to the fore, where he is appreciated by a vast, varied audience. His uniqueness in the field was recognized by a MacArthur Award in 2002.
Meyer’s most recent album is a self-titled solo recording released in April 2006, on which he wrote and played all of the pieces on instruments including piano, guitar, mandolin, dobro, banjo, gamba, and double bass. As a solo classical bassist, Meyer has released a concerto album with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra featuring Bottesini’s Gran Duo with Joshua Bell, Meyer’s Double Concerto for Bass and Cello with Yo-Yo Ma, Bottesini’s Bass Concerto No. 2, and Meyer’s Concerto in D for Bass. Just prior to that, he released an album with three of Bach’s Unaccompanied Suites for Cello.