The Calidore String Quartet: American Musicians at Teatro della Pergola

 

The critically acclaimed and award-winning Calidore String Quartet will perform with Czech pianist Ivo Kahánek at Saloncino of Teatro della Pergola (via della Pergola) at 9 pm on November 20, 2022.

The ensemble was founded in 2010 at the Colburn School in Los Angeles. The name “Calidore” derives from a combination of their home city “California” and the French world for gold, “doré” to represent the focus on diversity and gratitude toward their city. Recognized as one of the world’s leading groups, their vast repertoire ranges from classics like Beethoven to more contemporary pieces like those of Grygory Kurtag and Caroline Shaw. The group comprises Jeffrey Myers and Ryan Meehan on violins, Jeremy Barry on the viola, and Estelle Choi on the cello.

The evening will open with Many gone, Hellbound Highball and Creole Contradanzas from the album by Wynton Marsalis “At the Octoroon Balls.” This album was inspired by the social, cultural, political, and ethnic mix that American trumpeter Wynton Marsalis experienced while living in New Orleans. Following this the group will also play Quartet no. 1 in E minor by Smetana, finishing with Piano Quintet in F Minor as homage to Césare Franck 200 years after his birth.

After many concerts, residencies, and attending the most prestigious festival of the world the Calidore String Quartet received international acclaim after winning the 2016 M-Prize of International Chamber Music Competition for a Grand Prize of $100,000. Later they went on to receive the 2018 Avery Fisher Career Grand, the 2017 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award and are the only North American Quartet to win the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship. The quartet was also BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist and now are currently artists in residence at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Bowers Program. Currently Calidore is recording a complete cycle of Beethoven’s String Quartets for Sigum Records which is set to have multiple releases beginning in March 2023.

Pianist Ivo Kahának has also earned a reputation as one of the most expressive artists of his generation. After winning the Concertino Prague and in 2004 the Prague Spring International Music Competition he began to receive more international praise for his work. He went on to play well-received concerts at the Berliner Philharmoniker and released CDs of his own under the Supraphon Music label which included works by Chopin, Dvořák, Janáček, Martinů, Klein, Kabeláč, Francaix, Ibert and others. He has been awarded five prestigious Diapason d’Or recommendations for his 2021 album of Dvorak: The Complete Piano Works.

Tickets are on sale at BoxOffice Toscana points of sale and online at www.ticketone.it: https://www.ticketone.it/event/amici-della-musica-firenze-saloncino-della-pergola-amici-della-musica-15978133/ prices vary from € 27,50 to € 14,50 (reduced for under 30s).

It should be noted that the large hall of the Teatro della Pergola is undergoing renovations: it is therefore advisable to constantly check here: www.amicimusicafirenze.it as the concert venues may vary.  (michela tambasco)