In addition to their passion for performing, teaching, and mentoring, the Jupiter and Ying String Quartets share the belief that concert music can be a meaningful part of contemporary American life. The Jupiter Quartet has invited two of their Ying Quartet colleagues—violist Phillip Ying and cellist David Ying—to join them for a program of remarkable sextets anchored by one of Brahms’ most renowned chamber works.

The program begins with an excerpt from Richard Strauss’ final opera, Capriccio, which features the sextet players as performers within the story. Erwin Schullhoff’s sprightly String Sextet follows; the work was successfully premiered by Paul Hindemith’s string quartet in 1924 before being withdrawn; it was revived to acclaim in the 1980s. The centerpiece of this program, Johannes Brahms’ String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat Major, Op. 18, is renowned for its harmonic exploration and savvy approach to string writing.

Just as the Jupiter Quartet enjoys collaborating with peer musicians, they place a strong emphasis on developing relationships with future audiences through educational performances in schools and community centers. The Ying Quartet first came to professional prominence in the early 1990s during their years as resident quartet of Jesup, Iowa, a farm town of 2000 people. Now quartet-in-residence at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, the Ying Quartet members have private teaching studios and lead a rigorous, sequentially designed chamber music program.

Program

Richard Strauss: String Sextet from Capriccio, Op. 85
Erwin Schulhoff: String Sextet
Johannes Brahms: String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat Major, Op. 18

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 7:30PM in the Foellinger Great Hall

See the Krannert Center website for more details and to purchase tickets.