Arts and Entertainment

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble to play Oct. 17 at Schwab

Program includes new work ‘Partitia’ by English composer Sally Beamish

London’s Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble was created in 1967 to perform the larger works of chamber music repertoire with players who customarily work together — instead of the usual string quartet with additional guests. The ensemble will perform music by Johannes Brahms, Felix Mendelssohn and English composer Sally Beamish at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 in Schwab Auditorium. Credit: Benjamin Salovega 2019. All Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — London’s Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble will perform music by Johannes Brahms, Felix Mendelssohn and Sally Beamish in concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, in Schwab Auditorium.

Drawn from the principal players of the world-renowned Academy of St. Martin in the Fields chamber orchestra and led by violinist Tomo Keller, the chamber ensemble performs in various configurations. For the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State concert, the ensemble will perform as an octet and a sextet.

The program is scheduled to include a new string octet, “Partita,” being created for the ensemble by English composer Beamish, plus Brahms’ Sextet for Strings No. 2 in G Major, Op. 36, and Mendelssohn’s Octet for Strings in E-flat Major, Op. 20.

For more information about the performance, visit the Center for the Performing Arts online, or call 814-863-0255.

The ensemble was created in 1967 to perform the larger works of chamber music repertoire with players who customarily work together — instead of the usual string quartet with additional guests.

A Dallas Morning News critic called the group “an ensemble of first-rate musicians, technically superb, generously expressive and obviously enjoying themselves.”

In addition to Keller, the ensemble includes violinists Harvey De Souza, Jennifer Godson and Martin Burgess; violists Robert Smissen and Fiona Bonds; and cellists Stephen Orton and Will Schofield.

The chamber ensemble’s touring commitments are extensive and include regular visits to Europe and North America. Recording contracts with Philips Classics, Hyperion and Chandos have led to the release of more than 30 albums.

Artistic Viewpoints will not be offered before the performance, which is supported by the Norma and Ralph Condee Chamber Music Endowment.

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Last Updated September 19, 2019

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