Jupiter String Quartet with David Ying, cello and Phillip Ying, viola

In addition to their passion for performing, teaching, and mentoring, the Jupiter and Ying String Quartets share the belief that concert music can be a meaningful part of contemporary American life. The Jupiter Quartet has invited two of their Ying Quartet colleagues—violist Phillip Ying and cellist David Ying—to join them for a program of remarkable sextets anchored by one of Brahms’ most renowned chamber works.

The program begins with an excerpt from Richard Strauss’ final opera, Capriccio, which features the sextet players as performers within the story. Erwin Schullhoff’s sprightly String Sextet follows; the work was successfully premiered by Paul Hindemith’s string quartet in 1924 before being withdrawn; it was revived to acclaim in the 1980s. The centerpiece of this program, Johannes Brahms’ String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat Major, Op. 18, is renowned for its harmonic exploration and savvy approach to string writing.

Just as the Jupiter Quartet enjoys collaborating with peer musicians, they place a strong emphasis on developing relationships with future audiences through educational performances in schools and community centers. Their enthusiasm for sharing classical music with new audiences extends to a busy masterclass schedule, working with young performers at Northwestern University, Eastman School of Music, the Aspen Music Festival, Encore Chamber Festival, Madeline Island Music Festival, and Peabody Conservatory.

The Ying Quartet first came to professional prominence in the early 1990s during their years as resident quartet of Jesup, Iowa, a farm town of 2000 people. Now quartet-in-residence at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, the Ying Quartet members have private teaching studios and lead a rigorous, sequentially designed chamber music program. The Ying Quartet’s enterprising view of concert performance has taken it to celebrated music venues of the world as well as the White House, correctional facilities, business schools, and hospitals, not to mention Grammy Award-winning musical collaborations. Violist Phillip Ying is a frequent speaker, panelist and outside evaluator on subjects such as arts-in-education, advocacy through performance, and chamber music residencies. He served a six-year term as President of Chamber Music America, a national service organization for chamber music ensembles, presenters, and artist managers. Cellist David Ying and his wife, pianist Elinor Freer, are artistic directors of the Skaneateles Festival where their imaginative view of music has earned the festival national recognition including a special ASCAP award for adventurous programming.

Program

Richard Strauss: String Sextet from Capriccio, Op. 85
Arnold Schoenberg: Verklarte Nacht
Johannes Brahms: String Sextet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 36

All works are in collaboration with Phillip Ying, viola, and David Ying, cello.