Music Series at Akin Guests Bend Rules of Chamber Music
A quartet known for bending the rules of traditional chamber music will conclude the sixth season of Midwestern State University's Music Series at Akin. The Germany-based FaurÚ Quartett will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at MSU's Akin Auditorium.
Named for influential French composer and pianist Gabriel FaurÚ, the group has been called pioneers in their approach to piano quartet compositions. The quartet consists of Dirk Mommertz on piano, Erika Geldsetzer on violin, Sascha Fr÷mbling on viola, and cellist Konstantin Heidrich. In addition to recordings of works by Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn, and other classical composers, they have performed and recorded songs outside the mainstream repertoire, such as works by Peter Gabriel and Steely Dan.
Another of the quartet's hallmarks is its unexpected collaborations with groups such as the German big band group NDR Big Band and contemporary artists such as Rufus Wainwright and Sven Helbig. They also play nontraditional venues such as New York City's Le Poisson Rouge and participate in school programs that expose children to chamber music.
In a year-end review, The Dallas Morning News listed a February 2016 performance by the quartet as one of the most notable performances, stating, "Presented by the Dallas Chamber Music Society, the German foursome played on an almost superhuman level of tonal refinement, technical and ensemble precision, and expressive generosity."
The quartet has won two of Germany's music prize, the Echo. The first was in 2008 for chamber music recording of the year for their album of Brahms' piano quartet music. The second was for the 2009 album Popsongs as top classic recording. Other awards include the German Music Competition, and many other international competition and recording awards.
The program will include works by the quartet's namesake FaurÚ, Gustav Mahler, and Mozart.
The concert is sponsored by the Perkins-Prothro Foundation and Joe and Dale Prothro with the Lamar D. Fain College of Fine Arts at MSU. The series debuted in spring 2012 with pianist Yefim Bronfman, who accompanied famed violinist Itzhack Perlman at the Kennedy Center Honors performance late last year. Cellist Alisa Weilerstein, and pianist Inon Barnatan, Irish pianist Barry Douglas, the Emerson Quartet, among other notable musicians, also have been guests of the series.
Tickets may be purchased by contacting the MSU Music Department at 940-397-4267, or visiting msufineartstickets.com. Cash or check payments may be mailed to Music Series at Akin, MSU Department of Music, 3410 Taft Blvd., Wichita Falls, Texas 76308. General admission tickets are $25 for each performance or $40 for season tickets. Tickets for senior citizens and military are $22.50 for each or $36 for season tickets.