The Academy String Quartet kicks off the season of The Westmoreland Symphony presents Academy Concerts with familiar favorites and some surprises. The concert opens with a string quartet arrangement of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ beloved setting of the Welsh hymn Rhosymedre, followed Joseph Haydn’s “Sunrise” quartet – one of the very finest string quartets, combining elegance, rustic wit, and rhythmic vigor. The Academy Quartet violinists, Jorie Butler-Geyer and Leah Givelber will play a selection of short pieces from Autumn Leaves, by Illinois composer Elaine Fine. Schubert’s early quartets are often overlooked in favor of his longer, heavier later works; the quartet in E flat, written at age 16, is sweet and charming. A sultry tango by Texan Michael McLean sends us dancing home.
Concert is free, donations are accepted.
Sponsored by Michael J. and Aimee Rusinko Kakos
The Academy String Quartet is Jorie Butler-Geyer (WSO principal second violin) and Leah Givelber, violins, Warren Davidson (WSO concertmaster), viola, and Cecilia Caughman, cello.