Coleman Chamber Music Association

Juilliard String Quartet
2017-11-12 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
The history of the Juilliard String Quartet with Coleman is a story in itself. This will be the Quartet’s 21st appearance, the first of which took place at the Pasadena Playhouse in 1951. Founded in 1946, the Quartet recently celebrated its 70th anniversary, and also welcomed its newest member, cellist Astrid Schween. In 2011, the Quartet became the first classical music ensemble to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
The Boston Globe said it best: “The Juilliard String Quartet can plausibly be called the most important American quartet in history…. Some groups seem to wrestle with their past and legacy; the Juilliard seems completely revitalized.”
Program
Haydn — Quartet in D Major, Op. 76, No. 5, “Largo”
Bartók — Quartet No. 5 in B-flat Major
Dvořák — Quartet No. 11 in C Major, Op. 61

Heath Quartet
2017-10-22 15:30 | Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
The best storytellers display an infectious passion. And the Heath Quartet—which in 2013 became the first ensemble in 15 years to win the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Young Artists Award— exemplifies this. The ensemble performs, says The Telegraph, “with fierce intelligence and feeling, passion and virtuosity.”
The members’ commitment to chamber music has led them far beyond London, where they are professors of Chamber Music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Past tours have included Carnegie Hall, the Kilkenny Arts Festival, the BBC Proms, the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Queen’s Hall Edinburgh, and Lincoln Center. Their 2016 recording of the Tippett quartets on Harmonia Mundi were praised by Gramophone as “A tremendous achievement.”
Program
Haydn — Quartet in D minor, Op. 76, No. 2, “Quinten”
Tippett — Quartet No. 2 in F-sharp Major
Bach — Three Chorale Preludes
Mendelssohn — Quartet No. 6 in F minor, Op. 80

Dover Quartet
2017-04-23 15:30 | Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
• DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM FOR THIS CONCERT
Our musical tour concludes with a visit to Shostakovich’s Russia and a return to Beethoven’s incomparable late quartets—three of which, including Op. 132, were commissioned by Prince Nikolai Galitzin in St. Petersburg. He agreed to Beethoven’s requested fee of 50 ducats each… the last two finally paid to Beethoven’s heirs in 1852.
The Dover Quartet won not only the Grand Prize but all three Special Prizes at the 2013 Banff International String Quartet Competition. The Quartet also won top prizes at the Fischoff Competition and the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition, and in 2013 became the Curtis Institute of Music’s inaugural quartet-in-residence. The Chicago Tribune wrote that “the Dover Quartet players have it in them to become the next Guarneri String Quartet—they’re that good.”
Program
Shostakovich — Quartet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 68
Beethoven — Quartet in A minor, Op. 132

Pavel Haas Quartet
2017-04-02 15:30 | Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
Named for the Czech composer, the Pavel Haas Quartet returns to Coleman to take us to Prague, where in 1878 Smetana’s Quartet No. 1 was given a private premiere with Antonin Dvoˇrák as violist. The Quartet’s recent recording of this work is one of three nominated in the chamber category for the 2016 BBC Music Magazine Awards.
The Quartet’s previous recording (Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden” and the String Quintet), was named Best Chamber Music Record at the 2014 Gramophone Awards. Gramophone commented: “They represent the best qualities of the Czech tradition—warmth, sonorousness, individuality, intensity; but what’s striking here is their fearless risk-taking, their fervency and the absolute confidence with which they propel you through these two masterpieces.”

Program
Martinů — Quartet No. 3, H. 183
Smetana — Quartet No. 1 in E minor, Op. 116, “From My Life”

Pacifica Quartet
2017-02-26 15:30 | Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
Members of the Pacifica Quartet may live in Indiana—where they serve as quartet-in-residence at the Jacobs School of Music and as resident performing artists at the nearby University of Chicago—but their accomplishments range far beyond these state’s borders, including our own Coleman Competition: the Russell Award in 1995 and the 50th Anniversary Prize in 1996. London’s Guardian called them “outstanding;” The New York Times described their playing as “alluring…breathtaking…unfolding with spine-tingling intensity.”
Our musical journey with the Quartet will include works by Mozart and Beethoven, and also a quartet by Israeli-American composer Shulamit Ran. Inspired by the paintings of Felix Nussbaum, who died during the Holocaust, the work, Ran explains, is her way of saying, “Do not forget.”
Program
Mozart — Quartet No. 15 in D minor, K. 421
Ran — Quartet No. 3, “Glitter, Doom, Shards Memory”
Beethoven — Quartet in C Major, Op. 59, No. 3, “Rhapsody”

Zodiac Trio
2017-01-22 15:30 | Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
Formed ten years ago under the guidance of renowned clarinetist David Krakauer and violinist Isodore Cohen at the Manhattan School of Music, the Zodiac Trio shortly thereafter became the first American group and the only ensemble with a wind instrument to enter the esteemed Ysaÿe Quartet Chamber Music program at the Paris Superior Conservatory.
The Trio has since performed worldwide, including the Festival Radio France Montpellier, International Colmar Festival, the Oriental Performing Arts Center in Shanghai, Izumi Hall in Japan, and Lincoln Center’s Bruno Walter Auditorium in New York. Their performances have been broadcast by France 3 Television, Beijing’s CCTV News, Canada’s CBC Radio and Television, New York’s WXQR and WNYC, and WGBH’s Live from Frasier in Boston.
Program
Bruch — Eight PIeces for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano, Op. 83
Schumann — Fantasiestücke (Fantasy Pieces), Op. 73
Saint-Saëns — Tarantelle in A minor, Op. 6
Grieg — Violin Sonata No. 2 in G Major, Op. 13
Menotti — Trio for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano

Imani Winds with Fabio Bidini, piano
2016-11-13 15:30 | Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
Fabio Bidini
From the Klezmer tradition of Eastern Europe to the Swedish essence of Anders Hillborg, from Manhattan’s Elliott Carter and the Imani Winds’ own Valerie Coleman and Jeff Scott to Mozart’s Vienna with Italy’s fabulous Fabio Bidini (about whom Philadelphia’s Broad Street Review wrote “Yes! This must have been what it was like to hear Beethoven himself improvise”), this third Coleman appearance by the Grammy-nominated Imani Winds embraces the established woodwind repertoire while exploring new frontiers.
As the Washington Examiner said, “Imani Winds, a soulful blend of classical, world, Latin and jazz music, is one of the most exciting and innovative ensembles to have emerged on the classical music scene…. Imani’s passion is for innovation and pushing the boundaries of the traditional wind quintet.”
Program
Scott — Startin’ Sumthin’
Carter — Woodwind Quintet
Coleman — Rubispheres, for Flute, Clarinet, and Bassoon
Hillborg — Six PIeces for Wind Quintet
Mozart — Quintet in E-flat Major for Piano and Winds, K. 452
Traditional — Klezmer Dances (arr. Gene Kavadlo)
Download the concert program (PDF)

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble
2016-10-30 15:30 | Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
Our musical journey begins with the fourth visit to Coleman audiences by this venerable London-based ensemble, established in 1967 by the renowned chamber orchestra of the same name in order to perform larger chamber works without relying on guest artists. We will visit Prague, where Dvořák’s quintet premiered (and earned five ducats in a competition), and then travel on to Vienna to hear Schubert’s octet, which was first performed at the home of Archduke Rudolf of Austria, to whom Beethoven’s “Archduke Trio” was dedicated.
“What an awesome octet… Packing the punch of two quartets, their sound is vivid: bright and highly saturated,” said Opus One. The Washington Post wrote that “Their sound is sweet and pure, their ensemble work airtight.”
Program
Dvořák — String Quintet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 77
Schubert — Octet in F Major for Winds and Strings, Op. 166, D. 803
Download the concert program (PDF)

Enso String Quartet with Clive Greensmith, Cello
2016-04-03 15:30 | Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
The name Enso is derived from the Japanese Zen painting of the circle, which represents many things: perfection and imperfection, the moment of chaos that is creation, the emptiness of the void, the endless circle of life, and the fullness of the spirit. The members of the Enso String Quartet all were drawn to the string quartet repertoire because of its richness and diversity, and founded the Quartet at Yale University in 1999. The Charleston Daily Mail described a recent concert as “Expertly performed and musically as satisfying as any that I have heard. There is sweet music, and its name is Enso.”
Guest artist Clive Greensmith has been principal cellist of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a member of the Tokyo String Quartet.
Program
Wolf — Italian Serenade in G Major for String Quartet
Schulhoff — Five Pieces for String Quartet
Schubert — String Quintet in C Major, Op. 163, D. 956

Escher String Quartet with Jason Vieaux, Guitar
2016-02-21 15:30 | Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
There is magic in the meeting of musicians. Within months of the 2005 inception of the Escher String Quartet, Pinchas Zukerman and Itzhak Perlman invited the group to serve as Quartet in Residence at each artist’s summer festival. The Denver Post attributes this to “Rare musical insight and a profound level of cohesion.” Named after the Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher, famed for his mastery of ‘impossible constructions,’ the Quartet’s ‘impossible musical constructions’ have brought wonder to music lovers worldwide.
Joining the Quartet will be 2015 Grammy® winner Jason Vieaux, hailed by NPR as “Perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation.” Of the quintet, the Connecticut Post wrote that “The members have an unusual affinity for fitting together, picture perfect.”
Program
Mendelssohn — Andante and Scherzo, Op. 81, Nos. 1 and 2
Bartók — Quartet No. 1 in A minor, Op. 7, Sz. 40
Tárrega — Capricho árabe
Piazzolla — from L’histoire du tango: Café, 1930; Bordel, 1900
Boccherini — Guitar Quintet in D Major, G.448, “Fandango”

Calder Quartet
2016-01-17 15:30 | Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
The magic of the Calder Quartet was clear in 2002 when it won the Coleman Competition Saunderson Prize, and now with receipt of the 2014 Avery Fisher Career Grant. Inspired by innovative American artist Alexander Calder, the Quartet’s desire to bring immediacy and context to performance creates an artfully crafted musical experience.
Known for work with leading and emerging composers, the Quartet also collaborates with artists across musical genres, spanning the ranges of classical and contemporary music, as well as rock, and visual arts. “The superb Calder Quartet showed that the time-honored string quartet format still provides fertile ground for innovation and surprise in the hands of imaginative, skillful creators,” declared the New York Times.
Program
Adès — The Four Quarters
Britten — String Quartet No. 2 in C Major, Op. 36
Schubert — String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D. 810, “Death and the Maiden”

Elias String Quartet
2015-11-22 15:30 | Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
One of the most fundamental aspects of magic is revelation… and “a revelation” is exactly how BBC Radio 3 described the performances of the Elias String Quartet, whose name is taken from the German form of the Mendelssohn oratorio Elijah. Since its founding in 1998 the Quartet has amassed an impressive array of awards and accolades: second prize and the Sidney Griller Prize at the 9th London International String Quartet Competition, the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, and engagements at such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, London’s Wigmore Hall, and the Berlin Konzerthaus.
“It was the willingness to push the dramatic edge of the work…that transformed this performance into something extraordinary,” said the Washington Post. The Guardian described “Playing of wonderful exuberance and fire.”
Program
Haydn — Quartet in C Major, Op. 54, No. 2, Hob. III:57
Stravinsky — Three Pieces for String Quartet
Beethoven — Quartet in C Major, Op. 59, No. 3, “Razumovsky”

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
2015-11-01 15:30 | Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
Music has the power to unify minds and souls across generations, cultures, even the ages. No group practices this magic better than the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, whose artists currently hail from 18 countries and an equally vast range of artistic backgrounds. The Winds & Piano Tour features some of today’s finest wind players joined by French superstar pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet.
The Wall Street Journal has described the Society as “An unstoppable entity, an exploding star in the musical firmament.” The New York Sun celebrated “A joy to be in such authoritative hands…an audience member can simply sit back, relax, and let the music fill him.”
Program
Ligeti — Six Bagatelles for Wind Quintet
Magnard — Quintet in D minor for Winds and Piano, Op. 8
Rimsky-Korsakov — Quintet in B-flat Major for Piano and Winds
Poulenc — Sextet for Wind Quintet and Piano, FP 100
Artists
Tara Helen O’Connor, flute
Stephen Taylor, oboe
Romie de Guise-Langlois, clarinet
Peter Kolkay, bassoon
Radovan Vlatković, horn
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, piano

Emerson String Quartet
2015-10-18 15:30 | Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
“Music takes us out of the actual and whispers to us dim secrets that startles out wonder as to who we are, and for what, whence, and whereto,” wrote poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, the guiding spirit (and namesake) of the world-renowned ensemble.
Nearly four decades since its founding during the American Bicentennial, the Emerson String Quartet continues to earn accolades for its spellbinding performances: nine Grammys®, three Gramophone Awards, the Avery Fisher Prize, and Musical America’s Ensemble of the Year.
“With musicians like this, there must be some hope for humanity,” The London Times proclaimed. Newsday saluted “The one indispensable quartet in a world that is constantly creating more, excellent ensembles.”
Program
Haydn — Quartet in D minor, Op. 76, No. 2, “Quinten”
Shostakovich — Quartet in A-flat Major, Op. 118, No. 10
Dvořák — Quartet in F Major, Op. 96 “American”

Coleman Competition Winners Concert
2015-04-19 15:30 | Pasadena Conservatory of Music, 100 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
The winners of the 69th annual Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition held on Saturday, April 18 present a formal concert to be followed by an awards ceremony.
A reception for all will follow the presentations.
[download PDF of program]
Program
Zorá String Quartet (Indiana University, Bloomington, IN)
Coleman-Barstow Prize for Strings – $4,000
Anton Webern(1883‐1945): Langsamer Satz in E‐flat Major for String Quartet
QuinTexas (University of Texas at Austin)
Coleman-Saunderson Prize for Woodwinds or Brass – $4,000
Carl Nielsen (1865-1931): Quintet for Winds, Op. 43
Allegro ben moderato
Menuet
Praeludium ‐ Tema con variazioni
Azalea Quartet (Indiana University, Bloomington, IN)
Alice Coleman Prize – $7,500
Béla Bartók (1881-1945): String Quartet No. 4 in C Major, Sz. 91
Allegro
Prestissimo, con sordino
Non troppo lento
Allegretto pizzicato
Allegro molto
For tickets and information, email events@caltech.edu or call 626-395-4652.
Ticket Prices: $20; $10 youth

69th Annual Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition
2015-04-18 09:00 - 17:00 | Pasadena Conservatory of Music, 100 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91106, United States
You are cordially invited to attend the 69th annual Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition, in which young musicians from schools and conservatories across the nation and abroad bring their remarkable talents before a distinguished panel of judges.
Finalists will compete for $15,000 in prizes.
Prizewinners will be presented in concert on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music.
The Competition is open to all, free of charge. (Note that this event is on a Saturday.)
[see the winners] – [download the list of finalists]
Since 1947, the Competition has helped launch the careers of such prizewinners as Glenn Dicterow; Grant Gershon; Jeffrey Kahane; Anne-Marie McDermott; Paula Robison; Nathaniel Rosen; Morton Subotnick; the Ahn and Janaki trios; eighth blackbird; and the Calder, Colorado, Pacifica, Tokyo and Vega quartets.
Past judges have included some of the finest musicians of their time: Jascha Heifetz; Natalie Limonick; Mehli Mehta; Gregor Piatigorsky, Artur Rubinstein; Eudice Shapiro; Arnold Steinhardt; Henri Temianka; the Beaux Arts Trio; and the Amadeus, Budapest, Opus One and Smetana quartets.
From its origins encouraging local students in junior, intermediate and senior divisions, the Competition has evolved to earn and confer international prestige.
