Rising Chamber Stars Featured by Sanibel Music Festival

provided to Santiva Chronicle

On March 7, the Sanibel Music Festival presents the Rolston String Quartet, named among CBC radio’s 30 Hot Canadian Musicians Under 30. “This rising chamber music group was founded in 2013 by cellist Jonathan Lo, a Vancouver Academy of Music alumnus,” said Jana Stone, Sanibel Music Festival President. “And although they are young, the quartet is lauded by critics for ‘impeccably blended sound’ and ‘astonishing harmonic maturity.’”

Sanibel Music Festival is a volunteer organization presenting a concert series of chamber music, piano recital and vocal ensemble of the highest caliber every year in March. Following the Rolston String Quartet on March 7th, five more concerts will be held at 7:30 pm on selected Tuesdays and Saturdays at the Congregational U.C.C., 2050 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel. Visit www.sanibelmusicfestival.org or contact the hotline at 239-344-7025 for $50 general admission and free student tickets. Tickets are also available in person at Bank Of The Islands, 1699 Periwinkle Way, check and cash only.

“The Rolston String Quartet is quickly making a name for themselves and we are delighted to showcase their talent for the Sanibel audience,” explained Sue Pick, Sanibel Music Festival Music Committee Chair. “Their debut album, Souvenirs, was released last November to critical acclaim and was just awarded Recording of the Month for March 2020 by BBC Music Magazine.”

“We crafted the performance on March 7th to showcase the quartet’s beguiling sound,” continued Pick. “They will present Haydn String Quartet in G minor, Op.74, #3, Mendelssohn String Quartet in A minor, Op.13, and Schubert String Quartet in D minor, D. 810.”

Rolston String Quartet honors include the prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award from Chamber Music America, winning the 12th Banff International String Quartet Competition and taking Grand Prize at the 31st Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition. The group tours globally and has served as quartet-in-residence at both Yale School of Music and Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.

“The name Rolston String Quartet was inspired by violinist Thomas Rolston, founder of the Music and Sound Programs at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity near Calgary, Canada,” said quartet mastermind, Jonathan Lo. “Luri Lee plays a Carlo Tononi violin, generously on loan from Shauna Rolston Shaw. Emily Kruspe plays a 1900 Stefano Scarampella violin, on loan from the Canada Council for the Arts.” For more information visit http://www.rolstonstringquartet.com.