Sunday, March 30, 3:00 pm, The Ulysses String Quartet
“A young ensemble that represents the very best the current generation has to offer.”
Concert Program:
Franz Joseph Haydn: “Emperor” Quartet, op. 76/3 in C
Lera Auerbach: String Quartet No. 3, “Cetera desunt”
Antonin Dvořák: String Quartet in A-flat Major, Op. 105
Christina Bouey, violin; Rhiannon Banerdt, violin; Peter Dudek, viola; Grace Ho, cello
Sponsored by John and Pamela Hanold in honor of musical institutions everywhere.
Founded in 2015, the Ulysses Quartet members hail from Canada, the United States and Taiwan and quickly established themselves as prize winners – 1st prize in the Vietnam International Competition in 2019, to name but one. The group’s name pays homage to Homer’s hero Odysseus and his arduous homeward voyage, signifying the constant pursuit of artistic and personal ideals.
Their concert schedule has taken them both near and far: Jordan Hall in Boston, Sociaedad Filharmonica in Bilbao, Spain and a debut in Mexico City in the past year. In the fall of 2023, the Ulysses Quartet became GBH Music’s first-ever quartet in residence, a season-long partnership made possible by a generous contribution from the Mattina R. Proctor Foundation. Ulysses recently released their debut album, Shades of Romani Folklore on the Navona label. The quartet also has two new collaborative albums out: Sea Change Quartets by Grammy-nominated composer Joseph Summer, and A Giant Beside You with guitarist Benjamin Verdery.
The Ulysses Quartet believes intensely in the power of music to inspire, enlighten and bring people together. This is the guiding principle of the Ulysses Quartet Foundation, dedicated to the performance and promotion of classical music of the past and present day to benefit the broadest possible audience of music lovers and potential music lovers by expanding their understanding and appreciation of the musical arts. Ulysses aims to use this platform to raise the voices of underrepresented BIPOC and female composers. The quartet also offers interactive programs and workshops for all ages that serve to demystify the traditional repertoire while introducing audiences to diverse programming. Their programs enable participants to learn about the inner workings of a string quartet and to explore the connections between classical music and our world today. The members of Ulysses hold degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, the Juilliard School, and University of North Texas. The musicians perform on instruments and bows graciously on loan from the Maestro Foundation and private donors.
The Ulysses Quartet is the 2024-25 season’s most “youthful” ensemble and the resultant energy, adventurousness and avidity is unmistakable. They are not afraid to color outside the lines, so to speak, and explore unchartered territory for string ensembles . Check out this link to “Sycorax the Witch: A Horror Music Short Film” below for a glimpse into the Ulysses Quartet’s daring-do.
Ulysses Videos:
http://www.ulyssesquartet.com/videos
Mendelssohn, from the Ulysses Quartet YouTube:
https://youtu.be/1zIbNA2zK1w