The Quick Center for the Arts welcomes back the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center | Press Releases

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University presents the second of this season's three-concert Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Series on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. Journalist, Robert Sherman will host the traditional pre-concert Art to Heart discussion from 7-7:40 p.m.

This program focuses on two British composers, William Walton and Edward Elgar, whose contributions to classical music represent the modernist and the romantic approaches. The concert spotlights Walton's Piano Quartet in D minor and Elgar's Piano Quintet in A minor, Op. 84.

Sir William Turner Walton's musical style was influenced by the renowned modern composers Stravinsky and Sibelius. A 20th Century composer who was born in 1902 and died in 1983, Walton's work also embraces jazz and is often characterized by rhythmic vitality, bittersweet harmony and sweeping Romantic melody.

Sir Edward Elgar was of an earlier generation; he was born in 1857 and died in 1934. He composed the Piano Quintet in the Sussex countryside during the summer of 1918. It has been said that this piece was influenced by the quiet and peaceful surroundings in which he worked.

Performing in the evening's program is pianist Wu Han who is also co-Artistic Director of the Chamber Music Society with her husband, cellist David Finckel. Wu Han ranks among the most esteemed and influential classical musicians in the world today. She is an active concert and recording artist, music educator, arts administrator and cultural entrepreneur.

Joining her in the performance is Ani Kavafian and Arnaud Sussmann, violin, Paul Neubauer, viola and Fred Sherry, cello.

Ms. Kavafian enjoys a prolific career as a soloist, recitalist and chamber musician and has had many works composed for her.

Mr. Sussmann is a 21-year-old French violinist who has performed as a soloist with the Cannes Orchestra, the Monaco Chamber Orchestra and the Nice Orchestra.

Mr. Neubauer is an accomplished violist who, at 21, was the youngest principal string player in the New York Philharmonic's history. He has performed as a soloist with major orchestras, recorded work written for him, and appeared in recitals, festivals and on television with “Live From Lincoln Center.”

Mr. Sherry has been an Artist of The CMS since 1984. He has had numerous pieces written for him by composers such as Toru Takemitsu, among others, and has performed these compositions with orchestras that include the San Francisco Symphony and the Municipal Orchestra of Buenos Aires.

The ensemble tours nationally and internationally and in keeping with its mandate to reach a broad audience, CMS presents multi-concert series such as those in this Quick Center for the Arts' trio series. The final series concert will be April 28. CMS's ambitious level of touring activity amounts to over 40 concerts annually outside of New York City. In addition, CMS appears at some of the country's most prestigious music festivals, including the Lincoln Center, Mostly Mozart and Ravinia festivals.

Tickets are $30 and can now be purchased online at www.quickcenter.com or call the Box Office at (203) 254-4010. The toll free number is 1-877-ARTS-396. For more information visit the website at www.quickcenter.com.