Juilliard String Quartet’s 75th Anniversary Tour Comes To Sanibel

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

The renowned Juilliard String Quartet’s 75th Anniversary Tour comes to Sanibel on March 15 hosted by Sanibel Music Festival.

“We are honored to welcome the Juilliard back to Sanibel for the 10th time,” said David Conrad, Sanibel Music Festival Board Member and music committee member. “Following the recent death of the quartet’s distinguished violinist Roger Topping, guest pianist Anna Polonsky joins violinist Ronald Copes, cellist Astrid Schween, and violinist Areta Zhulla. This powerful ensemble promises exhilarating chemistry with the Juilliard’s signature artistry and vigor.”

Members of the Juilliard String Quartet plus Piano
Violinist Ronald Copes, Cellist Astrid Schween, and Violinist Areta Zhulla, with Pianist Anna Polonsky

Tickets are on sale now at the Sanibel Music Festival website; in-person in Sanibel at Bank of the Islands, 1699 Periwinkle Way (check and cash only); by mail to Sanibel Music Festival, PO Box 1623, Sanibel, FL 33957; or by phone at 239-344-7025. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. at Sanibel Congregational U.C.C., 2050 Periwinkle Way.

“The program includes classic piano quartets by Mozart and Brahms with a contemporary string trio by Penderecki completed in 1991,” continued Conrad. “This is consistent with the Juilliard String Quartet’s mission: to play new works as if they were established masterpieces and established masterpieces as if they were new.”

The concert will begin with the Mozart Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat Major, K.493 and the Penderecki String Trio for Violin, Viola, and Cello. Following an intermission, the Brahms Piano Quartet No. 3 in C minor, Op. 60 concludes the evening. The concert is sponsored by a bequest from long-time Sanibel Music Festival supporter and philanthropist Thomas F. Pick.

Sanibel Music Festival is a volunteer organization focused on bringing chamber music, piano recital, and vocal ensemble of the highest caliber to Southwest Florida. During the month of March, seven evening concerts are presented at 7:30 p.m. plus one matinee at 2 p.m. This signature series is followed by two Emerging Artist Series concerts featuring the popular FGCU Bower School of Music at 11 a.m. March 29 and April 5.

The 2022 season includes Haochen Zhang, Gold Medalist at the 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and recipient of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant performs.

Opera Theater of Connecticut returns March 22 by popular demand with “Singing Andrew Lloyd Webber- Superstar of Song and Stage”. Performances, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.. will include hits from Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Evita, and the Phantom of the Opera, punctuated by commentary from Artistic Director Alan Mann, noted speaker and opera historian.

Classical Music Hall of Fame member, the Emerson String Quartet, performs on March 26. Their unparalleled list of achievements spanning four decades includes more than thirty renowned recordings, nine Grammys (including two for the Best Classical Album), three Gramophone Awards, the Avery Fisher Prize, and Musical America’s “Ensemble of the Year.” In 2015, the Emerson received The Richard J. Bogomolny National Service Award, the highest award in classical chamber music.

The season concludes with the two Emerging Artist Series concerts featuring the Bower School of Music string ensembles and symphony orchestra under the direction of Dr Kyle Szabo.

“These polished student musicians are developing a following on the islands,” said Board Member Gloria Garrett. “The series received enthusiastic reviews when introduced in 2021. The concerts promise energy and surprises, including solo performances by Glen Basham, concertmaster of the Naples Philharmonic and Dr. Kyle Szabo, head of strings studies and Orchestra Director at FGCU.”

Multiple discount packages are available and student tickets are half price. Emerging Artist Series concerts are performed for free will donations on the Sanibel Music Festival website or at the concert. Pre-register on the website to assure seating at the SMF website . All concerts will take place at Sanibel Congregational U.C.C.