The Ciompi Quartet is stepping outside of its usual program and doing something different for its summer series. Concerts will feature the quartet's new music rather than the classical works familiar to most audiences. Each concert in the three-part series, "Ciompi Quartet Presents," will have a theme and include guest artists.
On Tuesday, July 10 Ciompi violist Jonathan Bagg will present his concert "Dancing in the Wind." The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in Kirby Horton Hall at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Tickets are $5 for students and $20 for the general public.
"In this concert, all the pieces are related to the elements, in particular wind," Bagg said. "There happens to be three works for the instrumental combination of the flute, viola, and harp bound together with this theme. These three works also happen to make a nice program."
Like Bagg, members of the quartet are not necessarily performing but are curating the series. The goal is to give the audience a sense of what inspires and motivates the members musically, and to present each member's point of view.
Musicians Ilana Davidson, Laura Gilbert, and Stacey Shames traveled from New York to assist Bagg as they perform works by composers Toru Takemitsu, John Tavener, and Robert Paterson. The first concert of the "Ciompi Quartet Presents" series was held June 5 and showcased member Eric Pritchard. The next concert is at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 14. Member Fred Raimi will perform various works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Shostakovich's "Piano Trio No. 2" with Richard Luby and Clara Yang.