Emory
CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY of Atlanta
Family Series
This livestream concert is presented by the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts schwartz.emory.edu/virtual-stage Box Office/Audience Information 404.727.5050 • schwartz.emory.edu
Photographs and Recordings Digital capture or recording of this concert is not permitted. Event and Program Information Available online at schwartz.emory.edu Cover Design By Lisa Baron Acknowledgment Eternal thanks to Donna and Marvin Schwartz for their many contributions.
The Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta is supported by the Cherry L. Emerson Endowment, the Rebecca Katz-Doft Chamber Music Endowment, the Ethel Orentlicher Gershon Fund, a major gift from Dr. John Cooke, the Office of Educational Programs at the Michael C. Carlos Museum, the Friends of Music at Emory, and by ongoing donations from music lovers like you.
ECMSA Family Series Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta William Ransom, artistic director
2020 2021
Valentine’s Day Concert– Music of Love
Jessica Shuang Wu, violin; Yinzi Kong, viola; Guang Wang, cello; and William Ransom, piano Sunday, February 14, 2021, 4:00 p.m. Schwartz Center for Performing Arts Virtual Stage
Program Preshow music provided by the Vega String Quartet.
Three Romances, op. 22 Clara Schumann (1819–1896) Jessica Shuang Wu, violin; William Ransom, piano
Three Romances, op. 94 Robert Schumann (1810–1856) Yinzi Kong, viola; William Ransom, piano
Intermezzo in A Major Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) William Ransom, piano
Berceuse and Intermezzo, op. 39 Reinhold Glière (1875–1956) Jessica Shuang Wu, violin; Guang Wang, cello
Romance, op. 23 Amy Beach (1867–1944) Jessica Shuang Wu, violin; William Ransom, piano
Romanza from the Serenade in C Major, op. 10 Ernő Dohnányi (1877–1960) Jessica Shuang Wu, violin; Yinzi Kong, viola; Guang Wang, cello
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The Vega String Quartet Members performing tonight: Jessica Shuang Wu, violin; Yinzi Kong, viola; Guang Wang, cello
The international award-winning Vega String Quartet is on the cutting edge of the new generation of chamber music ensembles. The New York Times raved about its “playing that had a kind of clean intoxication to it, pulling the listener along . . . the musicians took real risks in their music making,” and the Los Angeles Times praised its “triumphant L.A. What does Vega mean? debut.” Based in Atlanta where The Vega star is the brightest in it is the quartet in residence at the Lyra constellation. According Emory University, the group to Greek mythology, this also tours throughout Europe, constellation represents the lyre, Asia, and North America which belonged to the legendary performing in major cities musician Orpheus. including Berlin, Brussels, Cologne, London, Mexico City, Milan, New York, Paris, Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, Vancouver, and Vienna. The quartet is a frequent guest at numerous music festivals including Aspen, Brevard, Mostly Mozart, Rockport, San Miguel de Allende, HighlandsCashiers, Musicorda, Kingston, and SummerFest La Jolla, among others. It has been quartet in residence at the Van Cliburn Institute and on the artist roster of Carnegie Hall’s New York City Neighborhood Concert series and Community Concerts Association roster. The quartet is also a member of Young Audiences of Atlanta, presenting educational programs throughout the public school system. 5
The quartet’s live broadcast credits include NPR’s Performance Today, the National Radio of China, Shanghai TV, Radio France, France Musiques, German Radio, and the National Radio of the Czech Republic. The quartet captured four of the top six prizes at the Bordeaux String Quartet Competition (including the international music critics’ prize), as well as top prizes at the Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition, the Carmel Chamber Music Competition, and the National Society of Arts and Letters String Quartet Competition.
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William Ransom, piano Pianist, artistic director, master teacher, editor, and judge for international competitions, William Ransom appears around the world as a soloist with orchestras, a recitalist, and a chamber musician. His performances have been broadcast on National Public Radio and on television in the United States, Argentina, Poland, and Japan. He regularly collaborates with musicians including Yo-Yo Ma, Richard Stoltzman, William Preucil, Stephen Isserlis, and Robert McDuffie; members of the Tokyo, Cleveland, Juilliard, American, St. Petersburg, Borromeo, Parker, Ariel, and Lark string quartets; the Empire Brass Quintet; the Eroica Trio; and the percussion group Nexus; among others. As a master teacher, he also performs and gives master classes at numerous schools of music and universities around the world. He has recorded for ACA Digital and Rising Star Records. Ransom is the Mary Emerson Professor of Piano at Emory University in Atlanta where he is founder and artistic director of the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta. A graduate of the Juilliard School and the University of Michigan, Ransom spends summers as artistic director of the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival in North Carolina and for a decade was an artistfaculty member at the Kamisaibara Pianists Camp in Japan. In 2016 he was named artistic director of the Juneau Jazz and Classics Festival and also one of Musical America Worldwide’s “30 Musical Innovators.” 7
Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta
Now celebrating its 28th season of excellence, the Southeast’s largest and most active chamber music organization brings together some of the city’s finest resident musicians with internationally known guest artists who are dedicated to performing the most delightful, exciting, and interesting music from the chamber repertoire in some of the most acoustically and visually beautiful spaces in Atlanta. Guests have included Yo-Yo Ma, Richard Stoltzman, Alan Gilbert, Dave Brubeck, William Preucil, Eliot Fisk, Robert Spano, and many others. The mission of the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta (ECMSA) is to create new generations of passionate and educated music lovers who will cherish and support this great art forever. In addition to presenting an Emerson Series, a Family Series, and the Cooke Noontime Concert Series at Emory, the ECMSA tours, participates in recording projects, commissions new works, and supports numerous community outreach activities. Education is an integral part of the ECMSA’s mission, and members teach in a wide variety of ways throughout the university and greater community, coach student chamber music ensembles, and give private lessons. Emory’s String Quartet in Residence program, held by the internationally acclaimed Vega String Quartet, lies at the heart of the ECMSA’s mission to spread this great music throughout the Atlanta community, reaching audiences of all ages. The Vega String Quartet is the first professional string quartet to ever make Atlanta its home base, and as such, it is transforming music education and performance throughout the area. Until further notice, all ECMSA concerts will be presented online only. Concerts remain free of charge, but donations are greatly appreciated. William Ransom, artistic director wransom@emory.edu/404.727.6443 8
More events coming soon to the Schwartz Center Virtual Stage schwartz.emory.edu/virtual-stage Danish String Quartet Candler Concert Series February 19, 2021 at 8 p.m. The Danish String Quartet’s playing brings a rare musical spontaneity that gives audiences the sense of hearing even treasured canon repertoire as if for the first time. The Quartet’s palpable joy in performing has made the ensemble in-demand on concert stages worldwide.
ECMSA: Plus One February 27, 2021 at 8 p.m. Enjoy the Vega String Quartet with guest first violin David Coucheron plus one additional musician for Mendelssohn’s delightful Viola Quintet in B-flat with Paul Murphy and Dohnányi’s powerful and dramatic Piano Quintet in C Minor with William Ransom.
Emory Wind Ensemble February 28, 2021 at 4 p.m. This semester the Emory Wind Ensemble has formed two chamber ensembles: the Chamber Winds (a harmoniemusik-inspired dectet plus string bass), which will perform at 4 p.m., and a Brass Choir that will take the stage at 5:15 p.m. This first concert of the year will feature select movements from Arthur Bird’s Serenade, op. 40, and Eric Ewazen’s Fanfarria Castellana. 9
Music at Emory Music at Emory brings together students, faculty, and world-class artists to create an exciting and innovative season of performances and events. In a typical year, Music at Emory presents more than 150 events across multiple Emory venues; however, in this challenging season, we are committed to coming together virtually for a variety of musical offerings. For spring 2021 concerts, we remain steadfast in our mission and continue to present events virtually based on guidance from Emory University and public health officials. Please visit music.emory.edu for the most up-to-date schedule and announcements.
404.727.5050 music.emory.edu