By Natasha Anderson
The Asheville Chamber Music Series presents the Rosamunde String Quartet in concert on Sunday, February 26, at 3 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville. The quartet is comprised of Asheville native Noah Bendix-Balgley, first concert master of the Berlin Philharmonic; Shanshan Yao, concert violinist and former member of the Pittsburgh Symphony and New York Philharmonic; Teng Li, principal violinist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic; and Nathan Vickery, cellist in the New York Philharmonic.
Rosamunde String Quartet
“The Asheville Chamber Music Series puts out a large welcome mat whenever it can engage its native son Noah Bendix-Balgley to perform in its series,” says ACMS board member and program chair Polly Feitzinger. “As first concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, he is able to assemble some of the leading string players in the world.”
The Rosamunde String Quartet was founded in 2015 so that its members could pursue their passion for the string repertoire. They take time away from their international careers to create music together. Each member is an accomplished soloist and musician and brings a unique voice to the ensemble. By uniting their experiences, they create a distinctive sound and unanimity of expression. Above all, they delight in sharing their love of chamber music with each other and with audiences. Bendix-Balgley is the founder of the Rosamunde Quartet.
The program will include Ludwig van Beethoven’s String Quartet in D major, Opus 18, No. 3; Samuel Barber’s String Quartet in B minor, Opus 11; and Johannes Brahms’ Quartet in A minor, Opus 51, No. 2.
“In between the two essential quartets of the Classical and Romantic period, we play Barber’s only string quartet,” says Bendix-Balgley. “The middle movement is well-known in its other form as the Adagio for Strings, but in its original form it is the heart of this three-movement work, and takes on a different meaning surrounded by the stormy and dramatic outer movements. We can’t wait to share this amazing music with the Asheville audience.”
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville is located at 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. Learn more or order tickets at AshevilleChamberMusic.org .
