Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta’s 2006-2007 Season Features the Complete Solo String Works of Bach and Bartók’s String Quartets

ATLANTA, GA (May 16, 2006) - The Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta (ECMSA) will present an array of concerts and virtuoso performances during its 2006-2007 season, with a special focus on some of the most dynamic and important works of the 18th and 20th centuries: the complete works for solo strings by Johann Sebastian Bach and the complete string quartets by Béla Bartók. These works will be performed in six concerts in Emerson Concert Hall by the Vega String Quartet, Emory University’s 2006-2007 quartet in residence, as part of the ECMSA’S Emerson Series. Individual tickets or a discounted subscription package for all six Emerson Series concerts will go on sale Sept. 12, 2006, and will be available through the Arts at Emory Box Office at 404-727-5050 or online at www.arts.emory.edu (individual tickets are $20; the series package is $100).

   “The Bach works for solo strings represent the pinnacle of instrumental musical composition in the 18th century, and the Bartók string quartets are regarded as the 20th-century successor to Beethoven's great works in that form. Just the chance to hear all these masterpieces in one season is a rare opportunity, much less paired together in a series,” says ECMSA founder and Artistic Director William Ransom. “Listeners will hear unexpected similarities and relationships between the works, which will let us experience the music in a new way.”

   A prolific German composer and organist, Johann Sebastian Bach
(1685-1750) was master of the baroque style and is widely acknowledged as one of the most important composers in musical history. His “Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello,” often called the greatest works written for solo cello, contain a wide range of emotional content and some of the most compelling voice interactions and conversations. His “Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin” consists of three sonatas in four movements and three partitas composed of dance-based movements, many of which present a challenge for the performer.

   The Hungarian composer and pianist Béla Viktor János Bartók (1881–1945) is considered one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. (He was also a founder of the field of ethnomusicology.) Bartók composed his six string quartets between 1908 and 1939; his third and fourth are often said to be among the finest string quartets ever written.

   Highlights of the free Noontime Series, which takes place in the Michael C. Carlos Museum, include a collaboration between Emory’s Mary Emerson Professor of Piano William Ransom, also ECMSA founder and artistic director, and poet and medical doctor John Stone; an appearance by renowned baritone John Hornor; and a performance by violinist Richard Luby; as well as a preview performance of the Bach- Bartók cycle by the Vega String Quartet, the very first concert of the ECMSA season.

   The Family Series, also at the Carlos Museum, offers programs for young children, including the return of the popular “Beethoven in Blue Jeans!” 
performance, the annual holiday sing-along concert and a special April Fool’s Day concert featuring “foolish music.”

   This season also includes two special events. On September 21, 2006, the ECMSA will present a program in conjunction with the Carlos Museum’s exhibit “In Stabiano: Exploring the Ancient Seaside Villas of the Elite.” This program will include readings and music that reflect the exhibit. On February 24, 2007, the ECMSA will take its “Jazz Meets Classics” concert to Carnegie Hall in New York. This program features classical music by Bach, Beethoven, Ravel and Stravinsky that influenced jazz composers, and jazz by Bud Powell, Brubeck, Gershwin and Hancock that was influenced by classical music.

   Now celebrating its 14th season of excellence, the ECMSA, Atlanta’s largest and most active chamber music organization, brings together some of the city’s finest resident musicians with internationally-known guest artists who are dedicated to performing the most beautiful, exciting and interesting music from the chamber repertoire. This resident professional performing group of Emory University was named "Best Chamber Music Group in Atlanta" by “Atlanta Magazine” and in February of 2003 moved into its permanent home in the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts.

   ECMSA Artistic Director and pianist William Ransom has appeared as a recitalist, soloist with orchestras, and chamber musician in Eastern and Western Europe, Japan, South America and Mexico, and throughout the United States. He is currently the Mary L. Emerson Professor of Piano and head of the piano faculty at Emory University.

EMERSON SERIES: The Bach/ Bartók Cycle Performed by the Vega String Quartet Emerson Series in Emerson Concert Hall, Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, 1700 N. Decatur Rd., Emory. Tickets: $20, Emory and non-Emory students free with ID

Sept. 29, 2006, at 8 p.m.
Bach’s “Cello Suite no. 1 in G Major” and “Violin Sonata no. 1 in G Minor” and Bartók’s “String Quartet no. 1.”

Oct. 20, 2006, at 8 p.m.
Bach’s “Cello Suite no. 2 in D Minor” and “Violin Partita no. 1 in B Minor” and Bartók’s “String Quartet no. 2.”

Nov. 17, 2006, at 8 p.m.
Bach’s “Cello Suite no. 3 in C Major” and “Violin Sonata no. 2 in A Minor” and Bartók’s “String Quartet no. 3.”

Jan. 26, 2007, at 8 p.m.
Bach’s “Cello Suite no. 4 in E Flat Major” and “Violin Partita no. 2 in D Minor” and Bartók’s “String Quartet no. 4.”

Feb. 16, 2007, at 8 p.m.
Bach’s “Cello Suite no. 5 in C Minor” and “Violin Sonata no. 3 in C Major” and Bartók’s “String Quartet no. 5.”

March 23, 2007, at 8 p.m.
Bach’s “Violin Partita no. 3 in E Major” and “Cellos Suite no. 6 in D Major” and Bartók’s “String Quartet no. 6.”

NOONTIME SERIES
Noontime Series in the Michael C. Carlos Museum Reception Hall, 571 S. 
Kilgo Cir., Emory
Fridays from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., free

Sept. 22, 2006
The Vega String Quartet previews the Bach-Bartók Cycle.

Oct. 27, 2006
“The Poet and the Pianist” returns! Features new performances by Dr. 
John Stone, poet, and William Ransom, pianist

Nov. 10, 2006
“Ransom Notes,” with Kate Ransom, violin, and Keiko and William Ransom, piano

Dec. 8, 2006
“The Cycle of Life,” with John Hornor, baritone. This program features songs of youth and old age by Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Mahler and Strauss.

Jan. 26, 2007
Aquiles Delle Vigne, piano. The Argentinean-born Belgian pianist plays Liszt and Chopin.

Feb. 9, 2007
Richard Luby, violin, performs works by Bach and Bartók.

March 2, 2007
“Emory’s Young Artists.” This annual program features Emory’s most talented music department students.

April 6, 2007
Philip Thompson, piano, performs music by Liszt.

May 4, 2007
Emory Prize Winner features the best pianist from Japan’s 2006 Kamisaibara Piano Festival performing works for solo piano.

FAMILY SERIES
Family Series in the Michael C. Carlos Museum Reception Hall Sundays from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. Tickets $4 - Free for Museum members

Oct. 22, 2006
“Beethoven in Blue Jeans.” Ludwig himself makes an appearance to listen to and talk about his music. Pianist William Ransom and the Vega String Quartet perform.

Dec. 10, 2006
“Annual Holiday Concert and Sing-Along” features music for the holidays and an audience sing-along.

Feb. 18, 2007
“Chinese New Year Celebration.” The Vega String Quartet (originally from
Shanghai) performs arrangements of Chinese folk songs.

April 1, 2007
“Foolish Music” for April Fools Day.

May 6, 2007
Atlanta’s Young Artists. Some of Atlanta’s most gifted pre-college musicians perform selected works.

SPECIAL CONCERTS

Sept. 21, 2006, 7 p.m., free
Michael C. Carlos Museum, 571 S. Kilgo Cir., Emory “In the Shadow of Vesuvius.” In conjunction with the Carlos Museum’s exhibit “In Stabiano: Exploring the Ancient Seaside Villas of the Elite,” this program features readings of literature and performances of music which reflect the exhibit.

Feb. 24, 2007, 8:30 p.m.
Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, 212-247-7800 ECMSA returns to Carnegie! "Jazz meets Classics": The Gary Motley Jazz Quartet and the Vega String Quartet join forces in this exciting program featuring classical music that influenced jazz and jazz that was influenced by classical. It ends with a new work by Gary Motley for the two quartets together.