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Friday November 19, 2021
Emerson Avenue Salonlines Proudly Presents
a TRULY SPECIAL Live YouTube Broadcast
– A “hybrid” concert –
Apple Crisp Quartet
Claudia Chudacoff, violin
Jane Bowyer Stewart, violin
Eric deWaardt, viola
Schuyler Slack, violoncello
“A FAREWELL TO ERIC”
Join the Apple Crisp Quartet for an eclectic program we’re calling “A Farewell to Eric.” This concert marks our very reluctant adieu to our beloved violist, Eric deWaardt. After 36 years as a member of the National Symphony Orchestra, Eric will be starting a new chapter next spring as he returns to his roots in the Netherlands. In Delft, living just blocks from his birthplace, he will continue teaching and playing chamber music with his friends and extensive Dutch family.
Our program features one of Mozart’s “ten celebrated” string quartets, the last of a set of six dedicated to his teacher Haydn. Nicknamed “the Dissonant” for the surprising harmonies in its slow introduction, its mysterious mood quickly gives way to music brimming with joy. Thanks to Claudia, we have become fans of the music of Ecuadorian composer Chía Patiño. Earlier this year we recorded her evocative and engaging Wild Swans for the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra’s Micro-Grant Program. Schuyler introduced us to Osvaldo Golijov’s Tenebrae, which features gorgeous harmonies, sometimes overlaying hints of pain. The second violin part requires a retuning of the lowest string, bringing the instrument closer in register to the viola (in further tribute to Eric!). Jane will therefore use two different violins in this concert.
Program
Quartet in C Major, K. 465 “The Dissonant”
W. A. Mozart (1756–1791)
Adagio–Allegro
Andante cantabile
Menuetto: Allegro
Allegro
“Wild Swans“
Chía Patiño (1967–)
“Tenebrae“
Osvaldo Golijov (1960–)
Biographies
A close friend of Eric’s since their days at the Eastman School of Music, violinist Claudia Chudacoff serves as concertmaster of the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, the Apollo Chamber Orchestra, and the National Gallery Orchestra. After her retirement as concertmaster of the U.S. Marine Band’s White House Chamber Orchestra, she played several seasons full time with the National Symphony Orchestra. A frequent chamber music performer and recitalist, Claudia also coaches award-winning chamber music groups and is Director of the Chamber Ensemble of the College Park Youth Orchestra.
A longtime chamber music buddy of Eric’s, violinist Jane Bowyer Stewart is a first violinist with the National Symphony Orchestra, which she joined after earning both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Music degrees from Yale University. Ms. Stewart has performed as a guest artist with the Kennedy Center Chamber Players and the 21st Century Consort and is currently a member of the Columbia String Quartet and Eclipse Chamber Orchestra. Jane is happiest when playing string quartets, whether onstage or in Jackie’s music room.
Violist Eric deWaardt grew up in the DC area and became closely associated with the NSO through his private teacher, Ray Scavelli, and his activities in the youth fellowship program. He appeared as soloist with the orchestra after winning the college division of the NSO’s concerto competition; shortly thereafter, he won a job in the viola section. Eric studied at Juilliard and the Eastman School of Music. Always an avid chamber musician, he was a founding member with Claudia of the National Gallery String Quartet, created a concert series at the Congressional Cemetery (“Notes from the Crypt”; over 60 concerts to date), and has often participated in informal quartet-reading marathons at Jackie’s house.
An Alexandria native, cellist Schuyler Slack travels from Richmond, where he is a member of the Richmond Symphony, to rehearse and perform with the Apple Crispers. Following his studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music, he began performing with major American orchestras, including the Cleveland Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra. Schuyler is committed to the music of living composers and to crossover musical endeavors; he has commissioned several new compositions for solo cello and performed at the Prague Fringe Festival.
The Apple Crisp Quartet* has performed and recorded together for over five years. Reaching out to our community, we have played in schools and libraries under the auspices of “NSO in Your Neighborhood.” Earlier in the pandemic we risked sunburn on Jane’s roof deck so we could enjoy reading string quartets at a safe distance. Always on the lookout for fresh challenges, three of us have embraced new technology by playing music off an iPad (and using a foot pedal to “turn the pages”). Watch our concert to find out which one of us still prefers paper music!
*The quartet’s name arose from the delicious treat Eric surprised them with during a rehearsal at his house.
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