Ariel Quartet welcomes Pavel Vinnitsky in "Best of Brahms" concert on March 26

The Ariel Quartet presents its final CCM concert of the 2023-24 season at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26 in Robert J. Werner Recital Hall. The program includes two of the most beloved works in the chamber music canon: Beethoven’s intense Op. 59 No. 1 and Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, featuring faculty artist Pavel Vinnitsky. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office. 

The program begins with the Beethoven, the first in a famous set of compositions known as the “Razumovsky” quartets. Composed in 1806, the Razumovsky quartets mark the beginning of Beethoven’s “heroic” period—during which he pushed the boundaries of musical expression and virtuosity. “It is this period for which Beethoven is often thought of as a revolutionary,” says Ariel violinist Gershon Gerchikov.

For the Ariel Quartet, the Beethoven presents an exciting opportunity to revisit beloved repertoire. “The last time we played this work at CCM was when we played our first Beethoven Cycle over a decade ago,” says Gerchikov, referring to Ariel's signature project of performing all seventeen Beethoven quartets.

The group has presented “The Cycle” numerous times in various cities, sometimes over the course of an entire season and sometimes over a marathon three days. “We’re really excited to present it anew,” says Gerchikov of Op. 59 No. 1.

Following the Beethoven, the quartet is joined by CCM faculty artist Pavel Vinnitsky, clarinet, for the Brahms Clarinet Quintet. The piece “is one of the most beautiful examples of how performers can affect the course of compositional history,” says Gerchikov. “By all accounts, Brahms was ready to retire prior to composing this work, and an exceptional clarinetist by the name Richard Mühlfeld is the one we need to thank for Brahms changing course to write some of the greatest chamber works involving the clarinet—including this quintet.”

Carrying the emotional depth of Brahms’ larger symphonies in an intimate package, the quintet gives the members of Ariel the chance to closely collaborate with a CCM colleague. “Pavel has been an absolute joy to collaborate with,” says Gerchikov. “His prowess on the clarinet, freedom, and expressiveness of tone fit perfectly with how we feel this music.”

“This concert presents, back-to-back, arguably two of the most epic works of chamber music,” remarks Gerchikov. “As a chamber music lover, I wouldn’t miss it!”

• BEETHOVEN: String Quartet Op. 59, No. 1
• BRAHMS: Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115

• 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Robert J. Werner Recital Hall, CCM Village 
University of Cincinnati

Tickets: $29.50 adult, $15 student, $19.75 UC faculty/staff, $10 UC student, $5 CCM student; group discounts available.

 Experiencing the magic of CCM OnStage has never been easier! Purchase your tickets:

• Online at ccmonstage.universitytickets.com
• Over the phone at 513-556-4183
• In person at the CCM Box Office in the Atrium of UC's Corbett Center for the Performing Arts 

CCM’s Box Office hours are 1-5 p.m., Tuesday-Friday, and one hour prior to curtain for ticketed performances. Hours subject to change based on the University of Cincinnati calendar. Our Box Office staff is always ready to answer your questions by phone at 513-556-4183 or email at boxoff@uc.edu. 

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Featured image at the top: The Ariel Quartet. Photo/Provided