The Kopelman Quartet’s authentic performances of the Russian repertoire have drawn ovations from past Kilbourn Hall audiences. The ensemble returns to Kilbourn Hall on Sunday, Nov. 14, at 3 p.m. to present their brilliant interpretations of masterworks by Borodin, Shostakovich, and Brahms as part of the Eastman School of Music’s Eastman-Ranlet Series.
The concert includes the quartet’s powerful yet sensitive interpretation of String Quartet no.1 in A Major by Russian Romantic composer Alexander Borodin. The program also includes Dmitri Shostakovich’s Elegy and Polka and the Quartet in A Minor, op.51, no.2, by Johannes Brahms.
Led by Mikhail Kopelman, professor of violin at the Eastman School of Music, the Kopelman Quartet was founded in 2002 with the purpose of continuing the rich traditions of the Russian school of quartet playing. Prior to his appointment at Eastman in 2002, Kopelman was on the faculty of the Yale School of Music and Moscow Conservatory.
Hailed as “a panorama of the Russian soul” by Classical Source, the Kopelman Quartet has established itself among the top quartets in the world for its interpretation of Russian music. The quartet is acclaimed for its technical excellence, lyricism, grace, and musical integrity. The ensemble has played at many major international venues, including the Musikverein in Vienna and the Dom Muziki in Moscow, and in festivals including the Edinburgh International Festival, the Zurich festival, and the Ravinia Festival.
Kopelman was first violinist of the Borodin String Quartet for two decades, first violinist of the Tokyo String Quartet, and concertmaster of the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. Kopelman’s long and distinguished career as a chamber musician has also brought him together with artists including Alicia de Larrocha, Mstislav Rostropovich, Emanuel Ax, and Gidon Kremer.
Tickets for the Kopelman Quartet’s performance are $10 to $20 (discount with UR ID) and can be purchased at the Rochester Philharmonic Box Office, 108 East Ave.; by phone (585) 454-2100; or online at esm.rochester.edu/concerts.
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Sunday, November 14
Eastman-Ranlet Series: Kopelman Quartet. Mikhail Kopelman, Boris Kuschnir, violin; Igor Sulyga, viola; Mikhail Milman, cello. Borodin, Quartet no. 1 in A Major; Shostakovich, Elegy and Polka; Brahms, Quartet in A Minor, op. 51, no. 2.
3 p.m.
Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs St.
Tickets: $10 to $20 (discount with UR ID) and can be purchased at the Rochester Philharmonic Box Office, 108 East Ave.; by phone (585) 454-2100; or online at esm.rochester.edu/concerts.