By Rachel Knight
The Brazos Valley will be alive with the sound of classical music on March 1 when Quaternaglia Guitar Quartet and James Dick, piano, take the stage at First Presbyterian Church. This performance by world-class musicians provides a unique and exciting opportunity to hear the première of Sergio Molina’s Quintet n. 2 for guitar quartet and piano.
Jane Stowell, Friends of Chamber Music publicity chairperson, says concerts like this add to the Brazos Valley’s quality of life.
“There is something about a live concert that you just don’t get from a recording or from a TV show or radio show,” Stowell says. “When you think of rock concerts and so forth, people just go wild because they want to be at a live performance. There is just something about a live performance that is unique and totally different than any other way to hear music.”
The dynamic quartet and masterful pianist will team up to bring Sergio Molina’s masterpiece, Quintet n. 2 for guitar quartet and piano, to life for the first time. The concert is sure to provide an inspired performance from all five musicians.
According to Stowell, Friends of Chamber Music is proud to bring talented world-class musicians to the Brazos Valley. The family that sponsors Friends of Chamber Music, the Plass family, makes bringing concerts like Quaternaglia Guitar Quartet and James Dick, piano, to the Brazos Valley possible.
“Concerts by that quality of artists come as a gift from the Plass family,” Stowell says. “Gilbert and Thyra Plass were music lovers and they believed, like many other people, that good quality music is an enriching experience.”
This performance is part of Friends of Chamber Music’s 22nd Annual Concert Series and is brought to the Brazos Valley in collaboration with Concerts on Carter Creek. The concert starts at 7pm and admission is free. First Presbyterian Church will provide childcare free of charge for the duration of the performance, because these organizations strongly believe in the importance of everyone having access to performances by world-class musicians.
“Many families have more than one child,” Stowell says. “If they wanted to bring their junior high or high school child to one of our concerts, it could be difficult if they have younger kids to get a babysitter; so that’s why we offer the complementary childcare, so that all families of all sizes can come.”
There’s a little bit of everything in the Brazos Valley, and on March 1, there will be a great deal of talent performing at the First Presbyterian Church to bring masterful compositions to life.
According to Friends of Chamber Music, Quaternaglia Guitar Quartet is composed of Brazilian guitarists Chrystian Dozza, Fabio Ramazzina, Thiao Abdalla, and Sidney Molina. As one of the world’s top guitar ensembles, the group has a wide canon of original pieces and ambitious arrangements. In 1998, the quartet was awarded the “Ensemble Prize” at the Havana International Guitar Contest.
Performing on guitars custom-made by renowned Brazilian guitar maker Sergio Abreu, the instruments’ tone will enhance the music as Quaternaglia Guitar Quartet and James Dick enthrall those in attendance at the March first performance.
James Dick is recognized as one of the truly important pianists of his generation, Friends of Chamber Music says. As the man who established The International Festival-Institute at Round Top in 1971, Dick has strong ties to the Brazos Valley. Dick is known for bringing keyboard sonorities to performances that radiate intellectual insight and emotional authenticity. His career is highlighted by acclaimed recitals and concerto performances in the world’s premier concert halls including New York’s Carnegie Hall, London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
“It’s just a unique opportunity,” Stowell says. “To have world-class musicians come and perform … is a gift to the community.”
For more information, visit www.communitychamberconcerts.org.
