String quartet from Prague will perform Czech compositions

Members of the Bennewitz Quartet with their native Prague in the background.  

Rocky River Chamber Music Society presents its first concert of 2018 on Monday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the magnificent acoustics of West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church’s refurbished sanctuary at 20401 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River. Musical guest of honor will be the Bennewitz Quartet from Prague, Czech Republic. 

Formed in 1998 and named after renowned Czech violinist, Antonin Bennewitz, the Quartet’s current members are Jakub Fišer (violin); Štěpán Ježek (violin); Jiří Pinkas (viola); and Štěpán Doležal (cello).  

The Bennewitz Quartet quickly established itself on the world stage by winning two prominent chamber competitions in Korea and Italy, by appearing at numerous international music festivals, and by performing in well-known concert halls in Europe, Asia and the United States. In the fall of 2017, the Quartet became “ensemble-in-residence” at the Czech Philharmonic in Prague.

In addition to touring and its work in the Czech Republic, the Bennewitz Quartet has an impressive discography that covers works by Bartok, Janacek, Smetana, Dvorak, Mozart, Schumann and Schubert. Critics of the Quartet’s recordings hailed their “fiery temperament” and concluded their playing was “simply phenomenal.” Other critics noted the Quartet’s “clarity of structure” and “beautiful tone palette and purity of intonation.”    

Rocky River Chamber Music Society is committed to presenting its concerts to Northeast Ohio audiences at no admission charge. All are welcome. For more information visit www.rrcms.org.

Carol Jacobs

Carol Jacobs is a retired archivist, librarian, and curator who resides in Westlake and serves on the board of the Rocky River Chamber Music Society.  

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Volume 10, Issue 2, Posted 9:21 AM, 01.23.2018