Rare talent, rare instruments

The Borromeo String Quartet has glowing write-ups in the Boston Globe, the New York Times, and Strings Magazine. They’ve been called the “quintessential American quartet,’ by Estadao.

Their individual bios give you a sense of how truly accomplished they are. Here are high points:

Yeesun Kim, Cello, has been hailed by the New York Times for her “focused intensity” and “remarkable performances.” She plays a Peregrino Zanetto cello, circa 1576, one of the oldest in the world.

Nicholas Kitchen, Violin, is currently playing the Goldberg Del Gesu, a twin violin fashioned by Szyman Goldberg. The twin violin, made from the same piece of wood, resides in the Library of Congress. Kitchen’s musicianship has been described by the New York Times as “thrilling, vibrant, and captivating.”

Mai Motobuchi, Viola, started playing the violin when she was five-years-old. She received full scholarships to study viola at Michigan State and Rice University. In addition to having an active performing career, she is in demand as a teacher in the U.S. and Japan.

Kristopher Tong, Violin, was made concertmaster at the age of 15 of the Utah Youth Symphony. He’s considered one of the most exciting musicians emerging today, praised for his depth of insight, virtuosity, and creative flair. The instrument he plays for the Borromeo is the A.J. Fletcher Stradivarius.

Quartet to appear at CSU

The celebrated Borromeo String Quartet returns to Colorado State University for a ninth season as part of an innovative new concert series.

Together with the Fort Collins Lincoln Center, the CSU Department of Music, Theatre & Dance presents the internationally acclaimed quartet as the second installment in the new Classical Convergence Music Series:

• Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
• Griffin Concert Hall
• University Center for the Arts
• 1400 Remington Street

This new series features traditional classical solo artists and chamber ensembles, as well as explores the new projects and concepts continually branching out of the genre.

Tickets

• $10/students
• $20/public

Tickets are available at the Lincoln Center box office at 417 West Magnolia Street, by phone at (970) 221-6730, or online.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door at the University Center for the Arts (UCA). The ticket office in the UCA lobby opens 90 minutes prior to any UCA performance and through intermission.

Borromeo play Shostakovich, Britten

Audiences and critics alike have championed the Borromeo’s ability to bring back the contemporary fire to often-heard repertoire, while making even the most challenging new music approachable.

“To hear and see them perform has always felt to me like taking a private tour through a composer’s mind,” says Cathy Fuller, Classical New England host on WGBH radio.

The Borromeo, in fact, are much celebrated for pioneering the use of computer technology to enable each musician to perform from full scores and composer manuscripts, a revealing and transformative experience which has never before been possible.

This concert features master works from the 20th century, including Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 3 in F major, Bartók’s String Quartet No. 6, Sz. 114, and Britten’s String Quartet No. 2 in C major, Op. 36.

Borromeo residency at CSU

A critical component of the new series is the opportunity for artist-student interaction. Classical Convergence artists will give master classes at CSU, providing dynamic, hands-on instruction in an informal setting; the sessions will be free and open for public observation.

The internationally acclaimed Borromeo String Quartet has been quartet-in-residence at Colorado State University for nine seasons, leading master classes and performing as guest artists in the spring.

Starting fall 2014, the quartet is renewing their commitment to the CSU string program by increasing their campus visits to twice each school year, providing additional coaching to CSU students and performing on the new Classical Convergence Concert Series.

More about Borromeo String Quartet

Considered “Simply the best there is” by the Boston Globe, the critically acclaimed Borromeo String Quartet is one of the most sought after string quartets in the world. Audiences and critics alike champion their revealing explorations of Beethoven, Bartok, Schoenberg, Shostakovich and Golijov, and their affinity for making even the most challenging contemporary repertoire approachable and enlightening has become a hallmark.

About the Classical Convergence Series

Fall 2014 marks the beginning of a partnership between the Colorado State University Department of Music, Theatre and Dance and the Fort Collins Lincoln Center with the launch of the Classical Convergence Concert Series. The series features traditional classical solo artists and chamber ensembles, while further exploring the full spectrum of the classical music genre.

Building on the classical concert programs of both organizations, the co-produced Classical Convergence Series features seven world-class performers and ensembles – performing at the University Center for the Arts and the Lincoln Center – including Grammy award-winning violinist Joshua Bell, as well as pianist Jeremy Denk, Mother Falcon, the Borromeo String Quartet, Orchid Ensemble, Classical Jam and the Mendelssohn Trio.

“The series allows us to thoroughly examine the intersection of world-class performers and our community, creating intimate experiences that allow for real interaction with these artists,” said Jack Rogers, general manager for the Lincoln Center.

2014-15 Season

Borromeo String Quartet

Friday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m. University Center for the Arts

Orchid Ensemble with the CSU Concert Choir

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m. University Center for the Arts

Mendelssohn Trio

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. University Center for the Arts

Jeremy Denk, Piano

Tuesday, Jan., 20, 2015, 7:30 p.m. University Center for the Arts

Joshua Bell, Violin

Thursday, March 12, 2015, 7:30 p.m. Lincoln Center

Classical Jam

Saturday April 4, 2015, 7:30 p.m. University Center for the Arts

Borromeo String Quartet

Saturday, April 18, 2015, 7:30 p.m. University Center for the Arts

For more information, visit the UCA website.