Carpe Diem String Quartet

Carpe Diem String Quartet—Charles Wetherbee, 1st Violin; John Ewing, 2nd Violin; Korine Fujiwara, Viola and Kristin Ostling, Cello—in residence at Ohio Wesleyan University, is an exciting group that has captured the imagination of audiences, the respect of critics, and is becoming one of the most versatile ensembles of their generation.

Performance:

Thurssday, October 21, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
1100 Carter Creek Parkway
Bryan, Texas 77802

Biography:

"A classical string quartet that rocks?" Yes! Carpe Diem String Quartet is quickly becoming the premiere American "indie" string quartet. The group performs the classical string quartet repertoire, but their musical passion has led them down the paths of gypsy, tango, folk, pop, rock, and jazz inspired music. Carpe Diem's outside-the-box collaborations include programs with Graeme Boone, banjo; Peter Soave, accordion/ bandoneon; and Willy Porter, guitarist and songwriter. Their inventive school and outreach programs even make use of video game songs, and TV and movie theme music such as "The Simpsons."

Recent projects include "Montana," a new work written by quartet member and Montana native Korine Fujiwara, that draws on the composer's roots in improvisational folk fiddling and never fails to leave audiences wowed.

Carpe Diem's latest disc was selected for the 2009 Grammy Awards Entry List in no fewer than four categories: Best Classical Album, Best Chamber Music Performance, Best New Artist, and Best Engineered Album-Classical.

Carpe Diem String Quartet, in residence at Ohio Wesleyan University, is an exciting group that has captured the imagination of audiences, the respect of critics, and is becoming one of the most versatile ensembles of their generation. Carpe Diem has earned critical acclaim with innovative programs, electrifying performances, and a passion for audience engagement.

This season, Carpe Diem continues several ambitious projects, including the complete recordings of the nine string quartets of Russian composer Sergey Taneyev on the Naxos label. Carpe Diem has created an exciting program with international accordion and bandoneon performer Peter Soave, "¡Viva Piazzolla!" which was featured at the prestigious Fontana Music Festival. This season, Carpe Diem launched a dynamic new concert series in Columbus called "Seize The Music."

The quartet is committed to giving back to the community, and has created two new programs, MusiCare, and Music Goes To School, that enable them to bring music to everyone in the Central Ohio area, regardless of their means or circumstances.

Reviews:

"The Carpe Diem String Quartet is to be commended for its adventurousnes . . . The playing is excellent, unanimous in spirit, homogeneous in tone, with fine give-and-take between leading and supporting." -Strings Magazine

"The Carpe Diem Quartet brings clear enthusiasm for the music and obvious commitment." -The Strad

"They play magnificently. Beautiful tone, lots of Slavic passion, perfect ensemble - they are living proof that one need not be a part of a national tradition to perform it." -American Record Guide

"I am impressed by the group's dark, beautiful tone, which hearkens back to some of the great Soviet quartets of yore." -Fanfare

"High spirited and good natured playing . . . considerable assurance . . . confident and urgent playing . . . impressive unity." -MusicWeb International

"The young Carpe Diem Quartet really sells these pieces. They help persuade me that Taneyev just might be the most underrated composer of the late 19th century." -Dallas Morning News

More Information:

Please contact Carpe Diem String Quartet.