The Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation (MCOF) – with Ayala Museum – has announced the Philippine premiere of a string quartet, “Quartetto Espressivo”, as the ensemble performs for 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. Slated on April 17 at 7:00PM at the Ayala Museum, 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.
This concert is made possible through the support of Ayala Museum together with MCOF’s partners Lyric Piano, BusinessWorld, Manila Diamond Hotel, HighLife, HerWord and DZFE.FM 98.7.
For tickets, call Ticketworld at (+632) 8919999, MCOF at (+632) 7500768 or (+63) 9209540053, and Allan at (+632) 7827164 or (+63) 9183473027.
