Ariel Quartet Begins 2019-20 Concert Series with ‘Darkness and Light’

The internationally acclaimed ensemble opens its CCMONSTAGE concert series with an evening of works by Joseph Haydn, Tan Dun and Franz Schubert on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019. Tickets are on sale now.

Praised by the New York Times for its “full-blooded, dynamic playing,” the Ariel Quartet opens its new CCMONSTAGE concert series on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, at CCM’s intimate Robert J. Werner Recital Hall. The concert, titled “Darkness and Light,” explores the concept of contrast and colors by taking audiences on a musical journey.

Featuring Haydn’s String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, “Fifths;” Dun’s Eight Colors for String Quartet; and Schubert’s String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810, “Death and the Maiden” — this performance is just the beginning of the Ariel Quartet’s four-part concert series at CCM. The talented string musicians will present three other concerts at CCM during the 2019-20 season on October 22, January 21 and March 10.

Described by the American Record Guide as “a consummate ensemble gifted with utter musicality and remarkable interpretive power,” the Ariel Quartet has earned a glowing international reputation. The ensemble is comprised of Alexandra “Sasha” Kazovsky, violin; Amit Even-Tov, cello; Gershon Gerchikov, violin; and Jan Grüning, viola. The group was formed in Israel in 1998 and has served as CCM’s string quartet-in-residence since 2012.

CCMONSTAGE presents four must-see concerts by the Ariel Quartet this season, featuring esteemed guest artists like Alexander Fiterstein (clarinet) and Anton Nel (piano). Complete program information for the ensemble’s 2019-20 season is below.

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24
• CCM String Quartet-in-Residence •
DARKNESS AND LIGHT
The Ariel Quartet
HAYDN: String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2, “Fifths”
DUN: Eight Colors for String Quartet (1986)
SCHUBERT: String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810, “Death and the Maiden”
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Tickets: Prices start at $29.50; student and group discounts available

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7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22
• CCM String Quartet-in-Residence •
THE FUGUE
The Ariel Quartet
This concert of fugues features Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 13 with its original final movement, the Grosse Fugue, which is often performed on its own as Beethoven’s Opus 133.
MOZART: Adagio and Fugue in C Minor, K. 546
BARTÓK: String Quartet No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 7
BEETHOVEN: String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat Major, Op. 130 and 133
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Tickets: Prices start at $29.50; student and group discounts available

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7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21
• CCM String Quartet-in-Residence •
A WORLD PREMIERE
The Ariel Quartet
Featuring guest artist Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet
The Ariel Quartet continues its 2019-20 concert series with a world premiere by Christopher Theofanidis, commissioned by the Manchester Music Festival and written for the Ariel Quartet with guest artist Alexander Fiterstein.
BEETHOVEN: String Quartet No. 12 in E-flat Major, Op. 127
THEOFANIDIS: Clarinet Quintet
MOZART: Clarinet Quintet in A Major, K. 581
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Tickets: Prices start at $29.50; student and group discounts available

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7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10
• CCM String Quartet-in-Residence •
HUNGARY
The Ariel Quartet
Featuring guest artist and CCM alumnus Anton Nel, piano
HAYDN: String Quartet No. 62 in C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, “Emperor”
BRAHMS: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25
DOHNÁNYI: Piano Quintet No. 2 in E-flat Minor, Op. 26
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Tickets: Prices start at $29.50; student and group discounts available

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Purchasing Tickets and Subscriptions

Interested in guaranteeing your seats for all four Ariel Quartet concerts? You can still subscribe to the entire series for $79. Single ticket prices start at $29.50 each; student and group discounts available. Pricing is inclusive of all fees. All performances are reserved seating.

Subscribe to CCMONSTAGE’s Four-Concert Ariel Quartet Series for just $79.

Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased online though our e-box office, over the phone at 513-556-4183 or in person at the CCM Box Office in the Atrium of UC’s Corbett Center for the Performing Arts.

Learn about additional ticket options for current CCM students.

Directions and Parking

CCM is located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. Please visit ccm.uc.edu/about/directions for detailed driving directions to CCM Village.

Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the end of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Please visit the UC Parking Services website for information on parking rates.

For detailed maps and directions, please visit uc.edu/visitors.

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The Ariel Quartet’s 2019-20 CCM concert series is made possible by the generous contributions of an anonymous donor, The Estate of Mr. William A. Friedlander, Mrs. William A. Friedlander, Dr. Randolph L. Wadsworth, Mr. & Mrs. J. David Rosenberg, Mr. & Mrs. Harry H. Santen, Elizabeth C. B. & Paul G. Sittenfeld, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Stegman, Dr. & Mrs. Theodore W. Striker and Mrs. Harry M. Hoffheimer.

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A preeminent institution for the performing and media arts, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is the largest single source of performing arts presentations in the state of Ohio.

All event dates and programs are subject to change. For a complete calendar of events, please visit us online at ccm.uc.edu.

Ariel Quartet Continues CCM Concert Series on Oct. 30

Praised by the New York Times for “filling the pristine structures of Classicism with fire,” CCM’s String Quartet-in-Residence continues its 2018-19 concert series with the music of Haydn, Zemlinsky and Mendelssohn.

The internationally renowned Ariel Quartet concludes its fall 2018 concert series at UC’s College Conservatory of Music (CCM) at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018 in CCM’s Corbett Auditorium.

Featuring Haydn’s String Quartet No. 55 in D Major, Op. 71, No. 2; Zemlinsky’s String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15; and Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 3 in D Major, Op. 44, No. 1 — this is the second performance of the ensemble’s four-part concert series at CCM. The talented string musicians have additional concerts on January 29 and March 26, 2019.

The Calgary Herald praised the Ariel Quartet’s recent concert at Canada’s Calgary Pro Musica concert series, where the ensemble performed Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 3 in D Major:

“The breathless speed of [Mendelssohn’s Quartet in D major’s] opening, with its frantic scrubbing from the lower strings, gave the performance a wonderful sense of being on a thrill ride … All the members of the quartet gave their best, their flat-out style of performing evidently a joy for them and for the audience.”

Formed in Israel in 1998, the Ariel Quartet is comprised of Alexandra “Sasha” Kazovsky, violin; Amit Even-Tov, cello; Gershon Gerchikov, violin; and Jan Grüning, viola. It has served as CCM’s string quartet-in-residence since 2012. Learn more about the Ariel Quartet at arielquartet.com.

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Repertoire
HAYDN: String Quartet No. 55 in D Major, Op. 71, No. 2
ZEMLINSKY: String Quartet No. 2, Op. 15
MENDELSSOHN: String Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 44, No. 1

Performance Time
8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30

Location
Corbett Auditorium, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati

Purchasing Tickets
Tickets are $25 for general admission, $15 for non-UC students and FREE for UC students with valid ID. Single tickets are on sale now.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online now through our e-Box Office! Visit ccm.uc.edu/boxoffice for CCM Box Office hours and location.

Parking and Directions
Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Please visit uc.edu/parking for more information on parking rates.

For detailed maps and directions, please visit uc.edu/visitors. Additional parking is available off-campus at the U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.

For directions to CCM Village, visit ccm.uc.edu/about/directions.
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The Ariel Quartet’s 2018-19 CCM concert series is made possible by the generous contributions of an anonymous donor, The Estate of Mr. William A. Friedlander, Mrs. William A. Friedlander, Dr. Randolph L. Wadsworth, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bloom, Mr. and Mrs. J. David Rosenberg, Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. Santen, Mr. and Mrs. Paul G. Sittenfeld, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Stegman, Dr. and Mrs. Theodore W. Striker and Mrs. Harry M. Hoffheimer.

Story by CCM Gradaute Student Jonathan Dellinger

The Ariel Quartet’s Beethoven Cycle Opens to Rave Reviews

The Ariel Quartet‘s complete tour of Beethoven’s string quartets commenced last evening and the opening performance of “The Cycle“ was met with rave reviews!

In her write-up for Music in Cincinnati, Mary Ellyn Hutton writes, “Evident at once in any performance by the Ariel Quartet are the differing personalities of its members. Kazovsky is sweeping and demonstrative. Gershon is pointed and elegant. Violist Grüning radiates confidence and control, while cellist Even-Tov is animated, with facial expressions to match. And how beautifully they come together to make music.” Read the full review here.

In her review for the Cincinnati Enquirer, Janelle Gelfand writes, “One could marvel at their pinpoint attack and cutoffs, performed for maximum dramatic effect, sometimes with flinging bows. The slow movement was phrased with profound beauty, and the players breathed together as one.” Read the full review here.

iSPYCiNCY.com also provides a video teaser for “The Cycle” in its recap of CCM’s Moveable Feast. Watch the video here.

Earlier this week, CityBeat published an in-depth feature on the Ariel Quartet’s Beethoven Cycle. Read the full article here.

“The Cycle” continues at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25 Thursday, Feb. 20. Learn more about the performance here.

The Ariel Quartet’s Beethoven Cycle Commences With Series-Opening Concerts on Jan. 23 and 25!

From left to right: Amit Even-Tov, Jan Grüning, Alexandra Kazovsky and Gershon Gerchikov are the Ariel Quartet. Photography by Saverio Truglia.

CCM proudly presents the opening concerts of the Ariel Quartet’s first complete Beethoven Cycle on Thursday, Jan. 23, and Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 Thursday, Feb. 20. Both performances begin at 8 p.m. in CCM’s Corbett Auditorium.

Through the course of this six-part concert series – otherwise known as “The Cycle” – CCM’s acclaimed string quartet-in-residence will perform all 17 of Ludwig van Beethoven’s string quartets. Taken as a whole, these works are widely regarded as the greatest achievement in the history of western chamber music.

The program for the Ariel Quartet’s series-opening concert on Thursday, Jan. 23, includes Beethoven’s String Quartet in F Major, Op. 18, No. 1; String Quartet in F Minor, Op. 95 (“Serioso”); and String Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 127.

The Saturday, Jan. 25, Thursday, Feb. 20 program includes Beethoven’s String Quartet in G Major, Op. 18, No. 2; String Quartet in C Major, Op. 59, No. 3 (“Razumovsky”); and String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135.

The quartet debated about how to present “The Cycle,” whether to play it in chronological order or to break it apart and program works from different periods into each concert, members explain.

Beethoven’s life and works are frequently divided into three general periods: a formative period lasting until around 1802, a middle period lasting until around 1812 and a transcendent third or late period lasting until 1827. For their first complete cycle, the members of the Ariel Quartet decided to present one composition from each period during each concert. Every concert in “The Cycle” will open with one of Beethoven’s Opus 18 quartets, the first set of string quartets he composed during his early period.

The members of the Quartet explain, “Most concerts will present three works in chronological order, offering audiences a rare opportunity to listen to all three periods back to back. We feel this will allow each concert to showcase the development of Beethoven as a composer, enabling our audience to experience this music to its fullest.”

“It’s not often that we have the opportunity to experience the complete oeuvre of a creative individual’s output,” observes Peter Landgren, dean and Thomas James Kelly Professor of Music at CCM, who worked closely with the Ariel Quartet to plan this concert series. “‘The Cycle’ provides just such an opportunity.”

“The Cycle” will be held in UC’s acoustically stunning Corbett Auditorium with performances scheduled for 8 p.m. on Jan. 23 and 25, Feb. 20 and 22, as well as March 25, 27 and 29, 2014.