The Observer, September 9, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2
World-class Emerson quartet to give concert
Hailed as "America's greatest quartet" by Time Magazine, the Emerson String Quartet is known primarily for its outstanding series of recordings (39 in all), its six Grammy awards, and its incredible performances in major concert halls throughout the world. This Tuesday at 8 p.m., the ensemble will perform Mozart, Shostakovich, and Brahms at the Fairmont Temple Auditorium in Beachwood as part of the Cleveland Chamber Music Society's 2005-2006 season.
The Emerson String Quartet, formed in 1976, consists of Eugene Drucker, violin; Philip Setzer, violin; Lawrence Dutton, viola; and David Finckel, cello. Individually, each of the men is an accomplished musician: Drucker, Setzer, and Dutton were all trained at the prestigious Juilliard School; Finckel has been called "one of the top ten, if not top five, cellists in the world today" by Germany's Nordwest Zeitung. Setzer was actually born in Cleveland, the son of two violinists in the Cleveland Orchestra.
Working together as a quartet, the men approach both classical and contemporary repertoire with equal mastery and enthusiasm. Unusual in the fact that they stand while performing, the group has recorded works by Mendelssohn, Haydn, Bach, Mozart, Schubert, and Beethoven, among others. In light of the fact that they will perform a quartet by Shostakovich on Tuesday, audience members should note how very experienced the group is with Shostakovich. They performed the composer's complete string quartet cycle in 2000 and will repeat this feat in the spring of 2006.
Based in New York City, the Emerson String Quartet also serves as the Quartet-in-residence at Stony Brook University. Their duties include coaching chamber music, giving master classes, and providing instrumental instruction.
The Fairmont Temple Auditorium is located at 23727 Fairmont Blvd. in Beachwood. Student tickets for this event are $5, available for pickup only with ID; standard tickets are $25. Call (216) 291-2777 for more information.
