Ariel Quartet opens performance series at CCM on Sept. 17
Cellist Paul Watkins joins the chamber music ensemble for Schubert's String Quintet in C Major
Event Information (passed)
The Ariel Quartet opens its fall 2024 concert series at UC's College-Conservatory of Music at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Robert J. Werner Recital Hall. Featuring guest artist Paul Watkins, cello, the performance features chamber works by Felix Mendelssohn, Matan Porat and Franz Schubert.
The concert opens with Mendelssohn's String Quartet No. 6 in F Minor, Op. 80. Next, CCM's String Quartet-in-Residence performs Porat's Four Ladino Songs for String Quartet (2020), which was commissioned by Ann and Harry Santen and CCM. For the grand finale, Paul Watkins joins the Ariel Quartet for Schubert's String Quintet in C Major, D. 956. Acclaimed for his inspirational performances and eloquent musicianship, Watkins enjoys a distinguished career as a concerto soloist, chamber musician and conductor. He was a member of the GRAMMY award-winning Emerson String Quartet until the ensemble's retirement in 2023.
Paul Watkins. Photo by Jurgen Frank.
Acclaimed for his inspirational performances and eloquent musicianship, Paul Watkins enjoys a distinguished career as concerto soloist, chamber musician and conductor. He is the artistic director of the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival in Detroit (since 2014), the cellist of the Emerson String Quartet (2013-2023) and visiting professor of cello at Yale School of Music (since 2018). He took first prize in the 2002 Leeds Conducting Competition, and has held the positions of music director of the English Chamber Orchestra and principal guest conductor of the Ulster Orchestra.
As a cellist, Watkins has given regular concerto performances with prestigious orchestras across the globe. Also, a dedicated chamber musician, Watkins was a member of the Nash Ensemble (1997-2013) and the Emerson String Quartet (2013-2023). After 44 successful seasons, the Quartet has decided to retire, and undertaken an extensive series farewell tours, culminating in their final performances in New York Lincoln Center in October 2023, where the concert is being filmed for a planned documentary by filmmaker Tristan Cook, and the release of their final recording of Berg, Chausson, Schoenberg and Hindemith with prestigious guests soprano Barbara Hannigan and pianist Bertrand Chamayou.
As a conductor, Watkins has conducted all the major British orchestras, and a wide range of international orchestras. In 2006 he made his opera debut conducting a critically praised new production of Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine for Opera North.
Highlights of the 23/24 season include a recording of the Richard Rodney Bennett cello concerto for Chandos with the BBC Scottish Symphony), Tippett’s Triple Concerto with the Halle orchestra and Shostakovich with the Aalborg Symphony.
The Ariel Quartet presents its fall 2024 season-opening concert at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, in Robert J. Werner Recital Hall. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.
In the wings: Join us for the Ariel Quartet's next concert on Tuesday, Oct. 22, featuring CCM graduate student ensemble Poiesis Quartet. Learn more.
Repertoire
Ariel Quartet: Alexandra Kazovsky, violin; Gershon Gerchikov, violin; Jan Grüning, viola; Amit Even-Tov, cello
Featuring guest artist Paul Watkins, cello
- MENDELSSOHN: String Quartet No. 6 in F Minor, Op. 80
- MATAN PORAT: Four Ladino Songs for String Quartet (2020) *Commissioned by Ann and Harry Santen and CCM
- SCHUBERT: String Quintet, Op. 163, D. 956 in C Major
Performance Time
- 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17
- Estimated run time: 95 minutes
Location
University of Cincinnati
Purchasing Tickets
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 Tue-Fri from 1-5 p.m. 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.
UC student, faculty & staff ticket options
Current UC students can purchase up to two tickets for each CCM OnStage concert and show at the discounted rate of just $10 per ticket; the discounted rate for current CCM students is $5 per ticket. Learn more about student tickets.
Current UC faculty and staff can purchase up to two tickets for each CCM OnStage concert or show at discounted rates (prices vary by performance). Learn more on the Box Office website.
Directions and Parking
CCM is located on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. For detailed driving directions, visit ccm.uc.edu/directions.
Parking is available in UC's CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Effective July 1, 2023, all University of Cincinnati Parking Services locations are cashless. Pay for parking securely with your credit/debit card. All major credit cards accepted.
CCM OnStage patrons can add pre-paid parking to their checkout carts when purchasing tickets. Pre-paid parking is date/performance specific. CCM Garage parking rates for a performance or special event is usually available for $10-15. Learn more about parking at UC's CCM Garage.
For additional information on parking at UC, please visit uc.edu/about/parking.
Next OnStage
There's more to explore — view our full performance schedule by month or visit the CCM Box Office website to buy tickets.
Stay up to date on CCM news and events by subscribing to our Next OnStage email newsletter, which is published every other Wednesday. Visit ccm.uc.edu/subscribe to sign up for email updates.
Interested in early access to CCM's ticket sales? Join CCMpower and gain advanced access to spring ticket sales in November. CCMpower members also receive 10% off general ticket prices for the full year. Learn more about CCMpower membership benefits.
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