Cavani String Quartet Will Open The Logan Series’ New Season
Free lunchtime performance on Wednesday, September 19
The famed Cavani String Quartet returns to Erie in September to open the 18th season of Music at Noon: The Logan Series.
The Logan Series was founded at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, by Warren arts advocate and philanthropist Kay Logan. Even after 17 years, the series remains unique in its informal approach to presenting world-class chamber music – audience members are encouraged to bring a packed lunch to enjoy with each no-cost noontime concert, and, after the performance, to approach the performers with any questions they might have regarding instruments or repertoire.
In addition, The Logan Series contracts all performers to present child-friendly educational programs for students at John C. Diehl School, Penn State Behrend’s adopt-a-school partner. The series’ innovative education-intensive approach to presenting classical music was honored two years ago with a Chamber Music America/American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers’ (CMA/ASCAP) Adventurous Programming Award given in a New York City ceremony.
Cavani String Quartet will present its free Logan Series public performance at noon on Wednesday, September 19, in the McGarvey Commons of the college’s Reed Union Building.
“Cavani was invited to open our season not only because of its tremendous musicianship and artistry, but also because of the musicians’ amazing ability to connect with the students at Diehl,” notes Gary Viebranz, director of instrumental ensembles at the college and The Logan Series’ new coordinator. “They were last on campus eight years ago, so it will be exciting to watch them share their talents with a whole new generation of Diehl and Behrend students.”
Cavani String Quartet has been described by The Washington Post as “completely engrossing, powerful and elegant.” Formed in 1984 and named after the 19th century violin makers Giovanni and Vincenzo Cavani, it is a winner of the prestigious Naumburg Chamber Music Award, and has won awards at the Coleman, Fischoff, and Banff International competitions, among others. Cavani’s four members were honored as the 1989 Young Artists of the Year by Musical America magazine, and in 2005 became the first recipients of the Guarneri String Quartet Residency Award from Chamber Music America.
Cavani is the quartet-in-residence at the renowned Cleveland Institute of Music, where it has developed the Apprentice Quartet Program, Intensive Quartet Seminar, and New Quartet Project for students devoted to the serious study of chamber music. The members have served as visiting artists at numerous camps and festivals, and have collaborated with artists across disciplines to create an award-winning program that unites poetry, painting, theatre, and dance with the string quartet medium. Cavani’s members currently serve on the Honorary Board of the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
In addition to championing student musicians, Cavani is an active proponent of new music. The quartet has commissioned, performed, and recorded the music of living composers worldwide, including Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, Dan Welcher, Joan Tower, Donald Erb, James Primosch, and Margaret Brouwer.
Music at Noon: The Logan Series receives major support from the Kay Logan Trust with additional funding from the Penn State Behrend Student Activity Fee, Pennsylvania Partners on the Arts, and the Erie Arts Endowment of the Arts Council of Erie. For more information about The Logan Series, visit the season Web site or phone the college’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences at 814-898-6108.