Friday, Sunday, January 11, 13, 5pm
St. Paul's Church, Cardo 6
$150, $300, $400

Amernet String Quartet, Promusica

The Amernet String Quartet has been hailed for its “exceptional technical ability”, “intelligence” and “musical integrity” by the New York Times. Prepare to be dazzled by the “old world flavour” of one of America’s greatest current ensembles as they return to San Miguel for two unforgettable concerts, on Friday and Sunday, January 11 & 13, 2019, at 5pm at St. Paul’s Church on Calle Cardo.

Formed in 1991, while its founding members were studying at the Juilliard School, the Amernet String Quartet quickly gained international fame, winning the gold medal in Tokyo at the International Music Competition. Currently the Ensemble-in-Residence at Florida International University in Miami, they have performed extensively around world, in Asia, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East. They also collaborate with many of today’s most prominent artists, such as the Tokyo and Ying quartets, and push the envelope with new avant-garde recordings, like their album Dissenting Voices which features rare works by important composers such as Shostakovich.

On Friday, audiences will delight in Mozart, Dohnányi, and Beethoven quartets, among others. Mozart's "Hoffmeister" Quartet, possibly intended to be one of the Prussian quartets based on its impressive cello parts, was dedicated to Mozart's friend, Anton Hoffmeister. It remains a stand-alone quartet between the six quartets dedicated to Hayden and the aforementioned Prussian group. Dohnányi was both a spectacular composer, chamber musician and pianist in his time. While composing and climbing in the Dolomites in 1906, he created this Quartet in D-flat. Beethoven's “Harp” Quartet comes from his middle period, focusing on individuality, delving into experimental and avant-garde techniques and concepts. Like Mozart's "Hoffmeister", the "Harp" is also a stand-alone quartet, the first not included in a group.

On Sunday, concertgoers will enjoy Schubert’s, Dvořák, and Tchaikovsky quartets, and more. Schubert’s "Rosamunde" Quartet, composed during a period when he was focused on chamber music, was dedicated to Beethoven's friend, the violinist Ignaz Schuppanzigh, who performed its première. Commissioned by the Hellmesberger Quartet who performed and, in some cases premièred, works by Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Dvořák's Quartet in C Major is a compositional gem. Known for his big-hearted ballets and orchestral works, Tchaikovsky's Quartet is an example of how he is able to convey such sentiments on a smaller scale, but still exhibiting many of his grander compositional traits. Not caring for the limelight, he disliked conducting, although he was avidly sought-after, and ultimately gave in, conducting the premiere at Carnegie Hall as an act of duty, inspired by his desire to promote Russian music.

Tickets for the concert at St. Paul’s are $150, $300 and $400 pesos donation each, and are on sale at the Bookshop in the Biblioteca Pública; Solutions, Recreo 11 and through our website with no booking fee, and at the concert 45 minutes before performance time.

Details of all Pro Musica’s concerts and Patron Membership are on our website, www.promusicasma.org, or contact us at promusicasma@aol.com.