Chamber Music: Neat with a Twist

Russell Roland, cellist of The Spektral Quartet — the newly appointed Ensemble-In-Residence at the University of Chicago — shares his thoughts on attracting new audiences to classical music and more.

This Thursday, November 1st, the Spektral Quartet will be performing Verdi’s Quartet in E minor as a part of the Noontime Concert Series here at the University.  As the cellist of the ensemble, do you have a favorite among the four movements of this great 19th-century work? Is this a relatively new addition to your group’s repertoire or is it a favorite among many others that you have performed in the past?

Personally I love the inner movements of this work.  The second movement is a gorgeous aria, with long singing lines and heartbreaking romantic harmonies.   The third movement is devilishly fast, with a bel canto cello solo in the middle.  You can imagine why I like that one… Continue reading