Shelter Island Friends of Music presents the Parker Quartet in a free concert; the Grammy-award-winning string quartet will play music by Mozart, Britten, and Beethoven.
All are welcome to attend on Sunday, October 8 at 7 PM at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church.
About the Parker Quartet
Daniel Chong and Ken Hamao on violin, Jessica Bodner on viola, and Kee-Hyan Kim on cello comprise the quartet. Founded and currently based in Boston, the Parker Quartet is the recipient of numerous honors. Among them are the top prize at the Concert Artists Guild Competition, the Grand Prix and Mozart Prize at France’s Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition, and Chamber Music America’s prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award.
Internationally recognized for their “fearless, yet probingly beautiful” performances (The Strad), the Parker Quartet has distinguished itself as one of the preeminent ensembles of its generation. Inspired performances and exceptional musicianship are hallmarks of the quartet, which has appeared at the world’s most illustrious venues.
To celebrate their recent 20th-anniversary season, the group introduced “The Beethoven Project.” This is a multi-faceted initiative that includes:
- performances of the complete cycle of Beethoven’s string quartets
- the commissioning of six composers to write encores inspired by Beethoven’s quartets
- the creation of a new video library spotlighting each Beethoven quartet
- bringing Beethoven’s music to non-traditional venues around Boston, including homeless shelters and youth programs
The quartet’s album “Ligeti Quartets” won a Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance. Their newest release features Dvořák’s “Viola Quintet” as well as György Kurtág’s “Six Moments Musicaux” and “Officium breve in memorial.”
The members of the Parker Quartet serve as professors of the practice and Blodgett artists-in-residence at Harvard University’s Department of Music. The group’s name is inspired by the Parker House, a Boston historic landmark — home of the famous Parker House rolls and Boston cream pie. It homage to artists and writers who used the Parker House as a meeting place.
About Shelter Island Friends of Music
This is the last concert of the SIFM’s 46th season. There is no admission fee; donations are always appreciated. A reception with the musicians follows the concert.
For more information, please visit shelterislandfriendsofmusic.org.
JoAnn Kirkland assists the trustees of Shelter Island Friends of Music
