Tesla Quartet playing help from their Friends
The Tesla Quartet has loyal allies in the Capital Region. Back in April, when the music world was feeling the first shocks of the shutdown caused by the Covid epidemic, The New York Times ran a big story about the Tesla. The piece detailed the sudden economic peril of the quartet members to illustrate the challenges facing musicians, managers and administrators throughout the industry. The collapse caused a particular sting for the Tesla, which had only recently achieved a level of earnings sufficient to support its members.
Keeping to its long-standing commitment, the Friends of Chamber Music will present the Tesla Quartet on Saturday Oct. 17. It will be an abbreviated program ( just one hour in length) pre-recorded and streamed for free on Youtube. But the quartet will still receive its full fee. The same applies to all the artists on the four concerts remaining in the season, which runs through April. Following through on fees to five sets of performers, despite no box office income, is a significant accomplishment for a small volunteer-run series like the Friends of Chamber Music, which concerts at the Emma Willard since 1949. According to board Laursen, other chamber music around the country have
and jointly presenting The attendant artist fees single performance instead might earn by making appearances those same cities.
“Some other organizations monetize their virtual offerings contributions. We’ll have will put out our normal fundraising our solid endowment is what this,” says Laursen, referring of $900,000 from the late Laursen, who leads the
joined the Friends of two years ago shortly after with her husband Todd A. been appointed provost and of SUNY. For the prior eight lived in the United Arab Emirates an official with Khalifa University Technology and Research. of Chamber Music Abu Dhabi, forged an international network
and a fondness for attending competitions. She’s applied
recommendations and series of online talks by musicians, builders and others titled
Laursen has found fellow be open to new approaches season during unprecedented and is proud of the organization’s supporting new talents. they ’d be paid for a live important if you’re focused
she says.
Founded in 2008 at the Tesla is on the verge of no or “promising.” Instead, it
of success with management, and an international touring Prior to Covid, the Tesla
for four hours a day, That came to a halt in mid