Ariel Quartet presents Haydn, Haas and Brahms in concert on Oct. 25

The Ariel Quartet, CCM's string quartet-in-residence, continues its fall concert series with an evening of Haydn, Haas and Brahms beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, in Robert J. Werner Recital Hall. Tickets are on sale now through the CCM Box Office.

The internationally acclaimed Ariel Quartet — comprised of Alexandra “Sasha” Kazovsky, violin; Amit Even-Tov, cello; Gershon Gerchikov, violin; and Jan Grüning, viola — has been teaching and performing at CCM for the past 10 years. They are joined on Oct. 25 by new CCM faculty artists Ayane Kozasa, viola, and Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir, cello.

Showcasing the extensive range of the Ariel Quartet’s elegant virtuosity, this concert features Joseph Haydn's String Quartet in F Minor, Op. 20, No. 5 and Pavel Haas' String Quartet No. 2, Op. 7 ("From the Monkey Mountains"). After an intermission, the program concludes with Johannes Brahms’ String Sextet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 36.

This blockbuster program opens with a weighty work that is sure to wow audiences. Haydn’s quartet is a sharp contrast from his lighter earlier compositions for this ensemble. In fact, many consider this opus to be the birth of the string quartet as a serious, passionate genre.

Though not as famed as Haydn or Brahms, Haas' stunning quartet is no less emotional. Heralded by BBC Music Magazine as "a work of intense drama and visionary effects," this memorable piece was written in 1925, after a stay in the Moravian Highlands. As one of his earlier works, this quartet helped to push Haas into the public spotlight. Remembered particularly for his song cycles and string quartets, Haas' career was brutally cut short in the concentration camps of World War II.

Premiered in Boston, Massachusetts in 1866, Brahms’ sextet sees the Ariel Quartet joined by CCM string faculty artists Ayane Kozasa, viola, and Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir, cello. According to biographer Karl Geiringer, this work references one of Brahms’ love interests, and showcases all his usual structure and romanticism.

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25

Robert J. Werner Recital Hall, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati

Single tickets are $29.50; student and group discounts available. Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCM Box Office, over the telephone at 513-556-4183 or online now through our e-box office.

Learn about additional ticket options for current CCM students.

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. 

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.

A preeminent institution for the performing and media arts, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is the largest single source of performing arts presentations in the state of Ohio. All event dates and programs are subject to change. For a complete calendar of events, visit ccm.uc.edu/onstage.  

Featured image at the top: The Ariel Quartet, string quartet-in-residence at CCM.