Peoples' Symphony Concerts

Single tickets available at the door starting at 1pm.

One of today's leading quartets, you can count on "impassioned performances full of operatic lyricism" (The New Yorker).




The Program:

HAYDN:  String Quartet in F minor, Op. 20, No. 5
SCHUBERT: excerpts from Schwanengesang
DVORAK:  String Quartet in A-flat Major, Op. 105

The Artists:

The St. Lawrence String Quartet (SLSQ) has established itself among the world-class chamber ensembles of its generation. Its mission: bring every piece of music to the audience in vivid color, with pronounced communication and teamwork, and great respect to the composer. Since winning both the Banff International String Quartet Competition and Young Concert Artists International Auditions in 1992, the quartet has delighted audiences with its spontaneous, passionate, and dynamic performances. Alex Ross of The New Yorker magazine writes, "the St. Lawrence are remarkable not simply for the quality of their music making, exalted as it is, but for the joy they take in the act of connection."

In 2012, the quartet will join forces with the San Francisco Symphony to premiere a work John Adams is composing with the SLSQ in mind. In spring 2011, they will premiere a new work by Osvaldo Golijov, also composed for them. This forthcoming work (co-commissioned by Stanford Lively Arts and Carnegie Hall) is expected to build on the success of their previous collaboration, which culminated in the twice-Grammy-nominated SLSQ recording of the composer’s Yiddishbbuk (EMI) in 2002.

Baritone John Moore was born and raised in Iowa.  His musical life began early singing in churches, choirs, and at community events.  He began pursuing classical voice as an eighth grader and got his feet firmly planted in operatic repertoire at Simpson College in Indianola, IA under the tutelage of Anne Larson and Dr. Robert Larsen.  Mr. Moore spent three summers at the Des Moines Metro Opera festival and was later accepted into the Minnesota Opera resident artist program.  Following an appearance in the finals of the Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions in the Spring of 2006, Mr. Moore was accepted into the Lindemann Young Artist Program. Mr. Moore made his Met debut performing the role of Fiorello in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and last season he performed the role of Figaro in the Welsh National Opera’s production.  A participant at the Marlboro Music Festival, Mr. Moore was last heard on the PCMS series as part of the Musicians from Marlboro tour in April 2011.

Anna Polonsky is regularly invited to perform chamber music at festivals such as Marlboro, Chamber Music Northwest, Seattle, Moab, Bridgehampton, Bard, and Caramoor, as well as at Bargemusic in New York City.  She made her solo piano debut at the age of seven at the Special Central Music School in Moscow, Russia.  Ms. Polonsky immigrated to the United States in 1990 and attended high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, before receiving her Bachelor of Music diploma from The Curtis Institute of Music and her Master's degree at the Juilliard School.  In addition to performing, she serves on the piano faculty of Vassar College.  For more information on Anna Polonsky, visit www.annapolonsky.com.