Shanghai String Quartet returns

FALLS VILLAGE — Music Mountain continues its 89th season with the sixth of the Six-Concert Complete Beethoven String Quartet Cycle featuring the incomparable Shanghai String Quartet, which will be presented on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. A wine reception will follow the performance. The weekend begins on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m., with first time guest The Bridge Trio, playing the spirited music of their native New Orleans. Concerts are scheduled through Sept. 23.

Sunday afternoon marks the completion of the Beethoven Cycle. The Shanghai String Quartet performs Beethoven Cycle Program #6: String Quartet in B Flat Major, Op. 18 #6; Grosse Fuge, Op. 133; and String Quartet in F Major, Op. 135. The performance will be followed by a wine reception to celebrate the completion of the Beethoven Quartet Cycle.

The technical and emotional scope of the Beethoven Cycle makes it the ultimate challenge for a string quartet. Described as challenging, intimate and graceful, and tumultuous, the Cycle includes some of the greatest works in Beethoven’s entire output. “The Beethoven Cycle as a whole provides a cathartic experience for the listener, it takes you through the emotions of a lifetime,” noted Music Mountain artistic director, Oskar Espina-Ruiz. “The Beethoven Cycle has brought some of the largest crowds to Music Mountain so far this summer, garnering three outstanding reviews.”

Renowned for its passionate musicality, impressive technique and multicultural innovations, the Shanghai Quartet has become one of the world’s foremost chamber ensembles. Its elegant style melds the delicacy of Eastern music with the emotional breadth of Western repertoire, allowing it to traverse musical genres including traditional Chinese folk music, masterpieces of Western music and cuttingedge contemporary works. Formed at the Shanghai Conservatory in 1983, the Quartet has worked with the world’s most distinguished artists and regularly tours the major music centers of Europe, North America and Asia. The Quartet has a long history of championing new music and juxtaposing traditions of Eastern and Western music.

Music Mountain welcomes first time guest The Bridge Trio on Saturday evening. The New Orleans natives celebrate the music, spirit, and intangible elements that touch the very hearts of many who love New Orleans.

The Bridge Trio, consisting of Conun Pappas, piano, Max Moran, bass, and Joe Dyson, drums, are a very unique trio of young musicians who stand strong as members of the next line of jazz virtuosos to come out of the thriving music traditions of New Orleans. They have a relentless fortitude to gain knowledge that continues to enhance their musical aesthetic, creating a sure formula that will stand the test of time. This Trio of brilliant men will most certainly be “The Bridge” that will continue the legacy and lineage of the incomparable Spirit found in this great City, called New Orleans. The trio today enjoys increasing professional recognition and success in the jazz world as members of saxophone master Donald Harrison’s band.

Music Mountain is located in Falls Village, Connecticut on Music Mountain Road, where a short scenic drive will bring you to Gordon Hall atop Music Mountain. Free parking and picnic facilities are available.

Chamber music concerts continue with American String Quartet with Robert McDonald, piano (September 16); and Ariel String Quartet with Music Mountain artistic director, Oskar Espina-Ruiz, clarinet (September 23).

The Saturday Evening Twilight Series continues with Roxy Coss Quintet (September 15); and Bert Seager and The Why Not (September 22).

Special concert and wine reception to celebrate the completion of the Beethoven Quartet Cycle on Sunday, Sept. 9: All tickets: $60.

Regularly scheduled Chamber Music concerts are $35. Twilight Series concerts are $30.

Children ages 5-18 are admitted free to all concerts when accompanied by a ticket holder. Saturday evening Twilight Concerts are at 6:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon Chamber Music concerts are at 3 p.m. Discounts apply through participating organizations. For a complete summer schedule, special ticket prices, and to download a ticket order form visit musicmountain.org or call (860) 824-7126.