The Maud Powell String Quartet of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra's Chamber Music Institute

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The Maud Powell String Quartet is the premiere string quartet of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra Chamber Music Institute, selected by competitive audition in June, and offered on full scholarship.  It provides a chance to study and perform significant chamber music literature at the highest level and to work with some of the finest artist teachers and chamber music coaches in the Chicago area.  The Quartet works with coach Ray Ostwald and regular guest coaches Rachel Barton Pine, Isabella Lippi, Roland Vamos, Matthew Agnew, and members of the Pacifica Quartet.

The group is named after acclaimed Maud Powell (1867-1920), the first American violin superstar to achieve international fame.  Maud Powell gave the American premieres of the violin concertos of Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, and Sibelius, and was the first violinist to make best-selling recordings.  Maud grew up in Aurora, Illinois in the Fox River Valley, and her career included playing under Gustav Mahler with the New York Philharmonic, and touring with the John Phillip Sousa band.  Her career and dedication to music education inspired thousands of young people to take up the violin in the early 20th century.

Members:

Patrick Connolly, 18, Conant High School, violin
Katie Gallagher, 15, Saint Francis High School, violin
Bradi Pirtle, 16, College of DuPage, viola
Christopher Mendez, 17, Dundee Crown High School, cello

Program:

Cappricco in E Minor, Op. 81
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Crisantemi
Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)

Quartet in G Major, Op. 18, No. 2
Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827)
I. Allegro
II. Adagio cantabile
III. Scherzo: Allegro
IV. Allegro molto quasi presto

Tags: beethoven, eyso, mendelssohn, puccini, string quartet

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