The Pacifica Quartet

The Denison University Vail Series presents an afternoon of superb music with the Pacifica Quartet and legendary pianist Menahem Pressler at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 14, in Swasey Chapel (200 Chapel Drive). The Vail Series may offer a limited number of tickets for sale to the general public at $15 if space allows.

The Pacifica Quartet has achieved international stature as one of the finest chamber ensembles performing today. Simin Ganatra, violin; Sibbi Bernhardsson, violin; Masumi Per Rostad, viola; and Brandon Vamos, cello, comprise the luminous ensemble, known for their virtuosity and groundbreaking repertoire, as well as for their commitment to teaching. They are members of the faculty of the University of Illinois, and serve as quartet-in-residence.

Pressler’s storied career was launched with a first prize at the Debussy International Piano Competition. After several successful tours as a concert pianist, he co-founded the highly lauded Beaux Arts Trio with Daniel Guillet and Bernard Greenhouse. The Trio is considered one of the most enduring and widely acclaimed chamber music ensembles and has been credited with giving rise to the enormous popularity of the piano trio repertoire.

The Pacifica Quartet will open the program with Beethoven’s Quartet in F major, Opus 18, No. 1; of the six quartets of Opus 18, it is considered the greatest due to the musical dynamism and the powerful contrasts. Robert Schumann’s Quartet in A minor, Opus 41, No. 1, known as the Lark Quartet, will round out the first half of the event.

Pressler will join the quartet for the second half of the performance and together they will perform Schumann’s Quintet for piano and strings in E-flat major, Opus 44. Schumann was the first romantic composer to pair the piano with the string quartet, though later composers adopted the arrangement.

Endowed by a generous gift from the late Mary and Foster McGaw in honor of Jeanne Vail, class of 1946, the Vail Series brings to Denison the world’s premier performers, as well as new musical talents, enriching the artistic experience of the entire Denison community. During the series’ 31 years at Denison, such extraordinary talents as Joshua Bell, Renee Fleming, Itzhak Perlman, Wynton Marsalis, Leontyne Price, Dizzy Gillespie, Emanuel Ax, Bela Fleck, Bobby McFerrin, and Yo-Yo Ma have graced the stage of Swasey Chapel.