Arts and Entertainment

Takács Quartet performs at University Park and Altoona

Takács Quartet (left to right) Geraldine Walther, viola; Károly Schranz, second violin; Edward Dusinberre, first violin; András Fejér, cello. Credit: Ellen Appel. All Rights Reserved.

The Grammy Award-winning Takács Quartet performs classics by Joseph Haydn, Leoš Janáček’s and Claude Debussy at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, in Penn State’s Schwab Auditorium on the University Park campus.

The Center for the Performing Arts concert -- part of a three-day Takács (tah-KAHSH) residency that includes performances and engagement activities at Penn State’s University Park and Altoona campuses -- features Haydn’s String Quartet No. 50 in B-flat Major, Op. 64, No. 3; Janáček’s String Quartet No. 2, “Intimate Letters”; and Claude Debussy’s String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10.

Tickets for the Schwab concert are $42 for an adult, $19 for a University Park student and $32 for a person 18 and younger. Buy tickets online or by phone at 814-863-0255. Outside the calling area, dial 1-800-ARTS-TIX. Tickets are also available at four State College locations: Eisenhower Auditorium (weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Penn State Downtown Theatre Center (weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), HUB-Robeson Center Information Desk (weekdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Bryce Jordan Center (weekdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.). A grant from the University Park Allocation Committee makes Penn State student prices possible.

"But I Want to Dream," a 90-minute public lecture and demonstration, will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, in the Misciagna Family Center Titelman Study at Penn State Altoona.

"An Evening with Takacs Quartet" will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, in Edith Davis Eve Chapel at Penn State Altoona. For free tickets to this event, call the Misciagna Box Office, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, at 814-949-5452.

The quartet’s four musical personalities come together to play with drama, warmth and humor. Second violinist Károly Schranz, cellist András Fejér and two others formed the ensemble as students in Budapest, Hungary, in 1975. First violinist Edward Dusinberre, a native of England, joined the quartet in 1993. Geraldine Walther, who had been principal violist of the San Francisco Symphony, came on board in 2005.

Takács was the first string quartet inducted into the Gramophone Hall of Fame. The musicians are the Christoffersen Faculty Fellows at the University of Colorado and became the first associate artists at London’s Wigmore Hall, where the ensemble performs six concerts each season.

The ensemble’s recording of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Op. 59 string quartets earned a Grammy for best chamber music performance in 2003.

Hear a Center for the Performing Arts interview with Dusinberre.

Read a Center for the Performing Arts feature article about Dusinberre and the quartet.

Artistic Viewpoints, an informal moderated discussion featuring a visiting artist, is offered in Schwab one hour before the performance and is free for ticket holders.

The Norma and Ralph Condee Chamber Music Endowment provides support for the concert.

This presentation is a component of the Center for the Performing Arts Classical Music Project. With support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the project provides opportunities to engage students, faculty and the community with classical music artists and programs. Takács is in residence at Penn State Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 (the first two days at University Park and the third at Altoona). Learn about the University Park and Altoona residency activities.

The Norma and Ralph Condee Chamber Music Endowment provide support for this presentation. WPSU is the media sponsor.

Related free events at University Park:

Classical CoffeehouseThe informal event features a performance by and discussion with the members of Takács at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, in Hintz Family Alumni Center’s Robb Hall. Classical Coffeehouse is presented in partnership with the Blue & White Society and the Penn State Alumni Association. The Penn State Council of LionHearts also provides support. Classical Coffeehouse is free and open to the public. Attendees can enjoy complimentary refreshments and receive a Classical Coffeehouse mug, while supply lasts.

Strings Master ClassThe public is invited to observe as members of the quartet lead a master class for Penn State School of Music string students at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, in Music Building I’s Esber Recital Hall. Tim Deighton, Penn State professor of music, hosts the two-hour session.

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For more information on any of these events, go to http://cpa.psu.edu/events/takacs-quartet

Last Updated September 10, 2014