VERO BEACH — When the lights go up on The Emerson Center’s stage at 4 p.m. Jan. 7, 2012, for the first time in the New Year, all eyes will turn to the highly acclaimed Miami Beach String Quartet, a classical performing ensemble that in two previous appearances, has earned praise and admiration from local audiences.
“Fortunately, the Miami Beach String Quartet will be with us again in 2012,” observes Richard Armitage, coordinator for this special event. “Regrettably, due to scheduling complications, this will be their only performance in our area this season. Since these artists have developed a loyal following in our area, we are anticipating that their January 7 performance will be well-attended. Therefore, I am encouraging everyone to claim their tickets early.”
During their afternoon appearance, the MBSQ program will include diverse musical selections including Tchaikovsky’s compellingly beautiful Andante Cantabile followed by Mozart’s most popular quartet, the number 17 in B flat major, also known as the “Hunting Quartet.” The concert will end with Antonin Dvorak’s Quartet in F major, commonly called “The American” as it was written during Dvorak’s two year stint as Director of America’s National Conservatory of Music.
“This program will be quite special,” adds Armitage. “It includes a diverse array of string classics with familiar refrains amid some of the greatest musical challenges faced by string performers. This performance promises to leave the listeners truly amazed.”
The Miami Beach String Quartet is comprised of talented musicians, all experienced soloists.
Ian Maksin is a master performer who has already built a reputation in Vero Beach as both a solo artist and the Principal Cellist for the Atlantic Classical Orchestra. Maksin is a Russian born native of St. Petersburg and a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music. During the summer of 2011, he toured Europe and gave solo cello performances before sold-out houses across the continent. Upon his return, he staged a tour of Florida performance venues, including a November 6 performance at The Emerson Center. Ian has collaborated with famous artists such as Sting, Andrea Bocelli, Snoop Dogg, and Gloria Estefan and performed at international music festivals including Ravinia, Spoleto, and his native St. Petersburg, Russia.
Violinist Aleksandr Zhuk was born into a celebrated musical family in Moscow. He started his musical studies at age six at the Gnessin School for Gifted Children. He holds degrees from the Utrecht Conservatory and won a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Institute in Baltimore. He came to Miami after winning a coveted fellowship with the New World symphony Orchestra under the famous conductor, Michael Tilson Thomas. In addition to the MBSQ, he performs with the Atlantic Classical Orchestra and with the Florida Grand Opera orchestra.
Second violinist Evgeniya Zharzhavskaya was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and began to play the violin at age six. She entered the Rimsky-Korsakov School of music the same year. She later continued her studies at the St. Petersburg state conservatory. While still at the conservatory she won a position with the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra under Valery Gergiev. She is currently studying at Lynn University in Boca Raton with the famous concert violinist, Elmar Oliveira. She has spanned the globe as a performer with appearances at music festivals in Germany, Switzerland, and Japan.
Chauncey Patterson, violist, studied at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and the Curtis Institute. A much sought after violist, he was Principal Viola with the Denver Symphony and the Buffalo Symphony. He is currently Solo Violist for Florida Grand Opera and he performs with the Atlantic Classical Orchestra. He has performed at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl and in venues in sixteen countries. In addition, Patterson is a dedicated music educator with faculty affiliations at The Cleveland Institute, Blossom School of Music, Hartt School, Encore School for Strings, the New World School, and five American Universities.
General admission seating tickets are $25 per person when purchased at the door. Advance tickets are only $20 ($10 for students) and can be ordered online at http://TheEmersonCenter.org or reserved by calling the box office at 772-778-5249. The Emerson Center is located at 1590 27th Avenue, at the intersection of 16th Street. Ample on-site parking is available.