Recording Artes
You have to hand it to the Pro Arte String Quartet. Rarely have houseguests stuck around for so long - yet never approached outstaying their welcome.
The string quartet, founded in Brussels in 1912, came to Madison to perform a series of concerts in 1940, just as Adolf Hitler's armies invaded their homeland. UW-Madison offered a home to the stranded musicians, who reciprocated with weekly concerts and radio performances.
Through years and generations of players, the quartet has been one of the most cherished arts institutions on campus. The current lineup - including violinists David Perry and Suzanne Beia, violist Sally Chisholm, and cellist Parry Karp MMusic '77 - debuted in 1995, with a concert performance that School of Music director John Schaffer called a "complete knockout." Pro Arte's far-flung fans are sure to welcome its latest haymaker, a new CD recording, the first issued by this configuration of the quartet.
The string quartet, founded in Brussels in 1912, came to Madison to perform a series of concerts in 1940, just as Adolf Hitler's armies invaded their homeland. UW-Madison offered a home to the stranded musicians, who reciprocated with weekly concerts and radio performances.
Through years and generations of players, the quartet has been one of the most cherished arts institutions on campus. The current lineup - including violinists David Perry and Suzanne Beia, violist Sally Chisholm, and cellist Parry Karp MMusic '77 - debuted in 1995, with a concert performance that School of Music director John Schaffer called a "complete knockout." Pro Arte's far-flung fans are sure to welcome its latest haymaker, a new CD recording, the first issued by this configuration of the quartet.
The CD features two works by Anton'n Dvorak, the nineteenth-century Czech composer considered one of the masters of string quartet music. Pro Arte ably handles Dvorak's String Quartet No. 9 in D minor (Op. 34) and the String Quartet No. 10 in E-flat Major (Op. 51), works that date to a pivotal time in Dvorak's life. Program notes by university musicologist David Crook complete the picture, placing the music in its proper socio-cultural context.
Proceeds from sales will support School of Music scholarships. To order, send a check for $17.50 (that includes shipping) payable to UW School of Music to: School of Music CDs, 455 North Park Street, Madison, WI 53706-1483. For credit card orders, call the UW Press at (800) 621-2736.
Proceeds from sales will support School of Music scholarships. To order, send a check for $17.50 (that includes shipping) payable to UW School of Music to: School of Music CDs, 455 North Park Street, Madison, WI 53706-1483. For credit card orders, call the UW Press at (800) 621-2736.
