Philip Dukes & Escher String Quartet Program II
MENDELSSOHN String Quartet No. 5 in E-flat Major, Opus 44, No. 3
WALKER Lyric for Strings
MOZART String Quintet No. 5 in D Major, K. 593
Philip Dukes, viola
Escher String Quartet:
Adam Barnett-Hart, violin
Brendan Speltz, violin
Pierre LaPointe, viola
Brook Speltz, cello
British violist and Mr. & Mrs. Thomas V. & Susan G. Reilly Associate Artistic Director Philip Dukes joins the acclaimed Escher String Quartet for four concerts over three days. In the first two programs, Dukes and the Escher String Quartet perform two of Mozart’s viola quintets, alongside notable works for string quartet.
Philip Dukes is recognized as one of the world’s leading viola players. In a career that has spanned over 30 years he is an accomplished performer, be it as a concerto soloist, a recitalist or chamber musician. Dukes made his solo recital debut at London’s Southbank Centre in 1991, a performance in which he was hailed by the London Times as “Great Britain’s most outstanding solo viola player” with The Strad magazine describing it as “world class.” Dukes has also enjoyed close musical associations with Yehudi Menuhin, György Kurtág, Daniel Hope, Julian Lloyd Webber, Tasmin Little, Michael Tree, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, the Beaux Arts Piano Trio, Debbie Wiseman, Peter Donohoe and Sir Andrew Davis. Dukes is also in demand worldwide as a director/conductor/soloist, as well as holding guest teaching positions at London’s Royal Academy of Music and Wells Cathedral School. Dukes is also Artistic Director at Marlborough College, and in 2006 was unanimously elected a Fellow of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, in recognition of his success as an international viola soloist, with a further award of an Honorary Associate at the Royal Academy of Music made in 2007. A regular contributor to SMF’s chamber music series since 2005, this is Philip Duke’s first live performance in the role of Associate Artistic Director.
The Escher String Quartet has received acclaim for its expressive, nuanced performances that combine unusual textural clarity with a rich, blended sound. A former BBC New Generation Artist, the quartet has performed at the BBC Proms at Cadogan Hall and is a regular guest at Wigmore Hall. In its home town of New York, the ensemble serves as Season Artists of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Within months of its inception in 2005, the ensemble came to the attention of key musical figures worldwide. Championed by the Emerson Quartet, the Escher Quartet was invited by both Pinchas Zukerman and Itzhak Perlman to be Quartet in Residence at their festivals. In 2013, the quartet became one of the very few chamber ensembles to be awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant. The Escher Quartet takes its name from Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher, inspired by Escher’s method of interplay between individual components working together to form a whole.
COVID POLICIES
To ensure the well-being of our patrons, artists, and staff, Savannah Music Festival has implemented the following safety measures:
Mask Policy: Concert attendees are required to wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. Masks must cover the nose and mouth and must be worn for the duration of the performance and at any time while inside the performance venue or in a place that doesn’t allow for social distancing.
Vaccination Policy: Concert attendees are required to show (1) proof of vaccination† or a negative COVID-19 test result* taken within 48 hours of arrival AND (2) a photo ID. Once proof of vaccination or negative test result has been confirmed, attendees will receive a non-transferable “well wristband.” Wristbands confirming vaccination are valid for succeeding concerts.
†In order to be fully vaccinated, you must have received your last vaccination dose no later than two weeks (14 days) prior to attending an SMF concert.
*A negative COVID-19 test result is only valid if it was performed by a licensed healthcare provider or laboratory. At-home test results are not accepted. You may present a printout or a digital proof. The confirmation needs to state the date that the test was performed, your name, and your date of birth.
Children: Children 2-12 years of age are required to follow SMF’s mask policy and to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours before the event. Children under age 2 are not allowed at Savannah Music Festival concerts at this time.
SMF reserves the right to revise its policies due to prevailing health guidelines.
WALKER Lyric for Strings
MOZART String Quintet No. 5 in D Major, K. 593
Philip Dukes, viola
Escher String Quartet:
Adam Barnett-Hart, violin
Brendan Speltz, violin
Pierre LaPointe, viola
Brook Speltz, cello
British violist and Mr. & Mrs. Thomas V. & Susan G. Reilly Associate Artistic Director Philip Dukes joins the acclaimed Escher String Quartet for four concerts over three days. In the first two programs, Dukes and the Escher String Quartet perform two of Mozart’s viola quintets, alongside notable works for string quartet.
Philip Dukes is recognized as one of the world’s leading viola players. In a career that has spanned over 30 years he is an accomplished performer, be it as a concerto soloist, a recitalist or chamber musician. Dukes made his solo recital debut at London’s Southbank Centre in 1991, a performance in which he was hailed by the London Times as “Great Britain’s most outstanding solo viola player” with The Strad magazine describing it as “world class.” Dukes has also enjoyed close musical associations with Yehudi Menuhin, György Kurtág, Daniel Hope, Julian Lloyd Webber, Tasmin Little, Michael Tree, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, the Beaux Arts Piano Trio, Debbie Wiseman, Peter Donohoe and Sir Andrew Davis. Dukes is also in demand worldwide as a director/conductor/soloist, as well as holding guest teaching positions at London’s Royal Academy of Music and Wells Cathedral School. Dukes is also Artistic Director at Marlborough College, and in 2006 was unanimously elected a Fellow of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, in recognition of his success as an international viola soloist, with a further award of an Honorary Associate at the Royal Academy of Music made in 2007. A regular contributor to SMF’s chamber music series since 2005, this is Philip Duke’s first live performance in the role of Associate Artistic Director.
The Escher String Quartet has received acclaim for its expressive, nuanced performances that combine unusual textural clarity with a rich, blended sound. A former BBC New Generation Artist, the quartet has performed at the BBC Proms at Cadogan Hall and is a regular guest at Wigmore Hall. In its home town of New York, the ensemble serves as Season Artists of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Within months of its inception in 2005, the ensemble came to the attention of key musical figures worldwide. Championed by the Emerson Quartet, the Escher Quartet was invited by both Pinchas Zukerman and Itzhak Perlman to be Quartet in Residence at their festivals. In 2013, the quartet became one of the very few chamber ensembles to be awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant. The Escher Quartet takes its name from Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher, inspired by Escher’s method of interplay between individual components working together to form a whole.
COVID POLICIES
To ensure the well-being of our patrons, artists, and staff, Savannah Music Festival has implemented the following safety measures:
Mask Policy: Concert attendees are required to wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. Masks must cover the nose and mouth and must be worn for the duration of the performance and at any time while inside the performance venue or in a place that doesn’t allow for social distancing.
Vaccination Policy: Concert attendees are required to show (1) proof of vaccination† or a negative COVID-19 test result* taken within 48 hours of arrival AND (2) a photo ID. Once proof of vaccination or negative test result has been confirmed, attendees will receive a non-transferable “well wristband.” Wristbands confirming vaccination are valid for succeeding concerts.
†In order to be fully vaccinated, you must have received your last vaccination dose no later than two weeks (14 days) prior to attending an SMF concert.
*A negative COVID-19 test result is only valid if it was performed by a licensed healthcare provider or laboratory. At-home test results are not accepted. You may present a printout or a digital proof. The confirmation needs to state the date that the test was performed, your name, and your date of birth.
Children: Children 2-12 years of age are required to follow SMF’s mask policy and to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours before the event. Children under age 2 are not allowed at Savannah Music Festival concerts at this time.
SMF reserves the right to revise its policies due to prevailing health guidelines.
