As part of the annual Burgner Chamber Music Series, Lebanon Valley College welcomes the return of the internationally-acclaimed Cypress String Quartet for a week long residency beginning Tuesday, March 15. The Quartet has visited the College frequently over the past twenty years to perform and mentor students. Their presence on campus is always a highly-anticipated event.
The ensemble will perform a free concert on Thursday, March 17 at 7:30pm in Lutz Hall. The program, featuring works by Beethoven and Glazunov will pay special tribute to Ellen Hughes. Ellen, as director of the Next Generation Concert Series was instrumental in bringing the Cypress String Quartet to Lebanon Valley College twenty years ago. As a classical music host for WITF, columnist for the Patriot-News, and Executive Director of Market Square Concerts in Harrisburg, she was a long time champion of chamber music in south central Pennsylvania. Ellen also served on the board of directors for the Cypress String Quartet as it began to establish itself as one of this generation’s premiere chamber ensembles.
Formed in San Francisco in 1996, the four members of the group have played thousands of concerts together throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. They have actively promoted new works, developed innovative outreach programs for students of all ages, and recently completed recording the full cycle of Beethoven string quartets.
Gramophone, one of the world’s leading authorities on classical music, has praised the group for their “artistry of uncommon insight and cohesion,” and the NY Times lauds their “tender, deeply expressive” interpretations. The group has recorded over 15 albums and is played regularly on hundreds of radio stations throughout the world. Their pieces have been heard on the Netflix original series “House of Cards” and performed in collaboration with leading artists ranging from Michael Franti of Spearhead to numerous modern dance companies.
Since its inception, the CSQ has created a niche in the world arts community as one of the most passionate, insightful, and innovative ensembles of our time. Whether performing for seasoned concert-goers or people being exposed to classical music for the first time, the CSQ has a unique ability to articulate what is enthralling about the masterpieces they perform.