Gretna Music presents Turtle Island Quartet on July 21 at 7:30 p.m., along with Apollo’s Fire on July 22 at 7:30 p.m. Both concerts will take place at the Mt. Gretna Playhouse, 200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Mt. Gretna PA.
Founded in 1985, the Turtle Island Quartet strives to create new, bold trends in chamber music for strings. The group fuses the classical quartet style with a modern sound. Renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma describes TIQ as “a unified voice that truly breaks new ground.”
The group’s members include Gabe Terracciano and David Balakrishnan on violin, Benjamin von Gutzeit on viola, and Naseem Alatrash on cello. TIQ will be performing several of David Balakrishnan’s own compositions, including the three-movement work Island Prayers, of which the program is named. The program will also feature pieces by 20th-Century composers Rhiannon Giddens, Terence Blanchard, and Jerod Impichchaachaacha’ Tate, a Southeastern American-Indian Chickasaw composer.
GRAMMY®-winning ensemble Apollo’s Fire is praised as “the USA’s hottest baroque band” (Classical Music Magazine, UK). Led by award-winning harpsichordist and conductor Jeannette Sorrell, the period-instrument orchestra is dedicated to the baroque concept of evoking emotions from the audience. Their current members include Alan Choo (violin & concertmaster), Andrew Fouts (violin & assistant concertmaster), Emi Tanabe (violin, principal), Chiara Fasoli Stauffer (violin), Nicole Divall (viola), Rene Schiffer (cello), Tracy Rowell (contrabass), William Simms (lutes & guitar), and their conductor and harpsichordist, Jeannette Sorrell.
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The baroque orchestra’s program, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons – rediscovered, will explore the famous four-movement work by Vivaldi, accompanied by the works of other Renaissance and Baroque composers. The program will also feature the soprano voices of Andréa Walker and Anna O’Connell, the latter of which is also a baroque harpist.
Prior to Apollo’s Fire’s concert, classical music promoter and influencer David Srebnik will be giving a free pre-concert lecture in the Hall of Philosophy at 6:30 pm.
For tickets and more info: 717-361-1508 or www.gretnamusic.org. Concert tickets for Turtle Island Quartet are $5 – $35. Concert tickets for Apollo’s Fire are $5 – $40. Special pricing for performances includes $5 tickets for ages 18 and under, $5 tickets for adults who bring a young person, $10 tickets for students, half-price tickets for ages 30 and under, and Pay What You Will options. Call for details.
Doors on July 21 will open at 6:30 p.m. and there will be First Listen performance at 6:45 p.m., featuring pianist Sean Skinner. Our First Listen programs present local talented youth in free mini-concerts before our mainstage concerts.
Doors on July 22 will open at 7 p.m., however the pre-concert lecture given by David Srebnik will take place in the Hall of Philosophy at 6:30 p.m. 212 Gettysburg Ave, Mt. Gretna, PA.
Gretna Music’s mission is to bring excellent musicians to central PA. Established in 1975, primarily as a chamber music festival, the organization now offers jazz, family shows, and other non-classical offerings during the summer at the Mt. Gretna Playhouse. The pavilion-style Mt. Gretna Playhouse offers remarkable acoustics. It is open on the sides for summer breezes, allowing the occasional birds and cicadas to join in while the musicians play. Seating area is covered, as is the stage.