NEWS RELEASE
FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY
CONTACT: Dick Armitage, Event Coordinator, 772-231-7278
Additional background information (including hi-resolution photos, program notes, and potential interview ideas) may be
downloaded from http://theemersoncenter.org/media/MBSQ.
MIAMI BEACH STRING QUARTET JOINS
JANUARY LINE-UP AT THE EMERSON CENTER
Responding to a last-minute scheduling opportunity, Vero Beach’s Emerson Center has
booked the highly acclaimed Miami Beach String Quartet for a Thursday, January 6 performance
at their 27th Avenue venue.
According to Richard Armitage, coordinator for this special performance, “We are so
fortunate to have found this ‘open date’ on the schedules of the quartet members and The
Emerson Center. As a result, our community will benefit from an exceptional performance by
four of the most highly-regarded string musicians in the world.”
The quartet’s 7:00 PM performance will showcase two of the definitive selections in the
string quartet repertoire. Both Schubert’s Quartet number 13 and Beethoven’s Opus 59 number
1, more commonly called the “Rasumovsky in F major,” are considered by avid quartet lovers to
represent the intensity and intimacy that characterizes this musical genre.
“Quartet performances present a special opportunity for audiences,” observes Armitage.
“When the Miami Beach String Quartet performs, our audience will enjoy the musical passions
of four renowned performers from a vantage point that rarely can be achieved in a full symphony
setting.”
The Miami Beach String Quartet comprises four exceptionally talented musicians, all
experienced soloists.
Ian Maksin has been described as “one of the most unique and gifted artists of his
generation.” This master cellist already has a reputation in Vero Beach where he plays Principal
Cello for the Atlantic Classical Orchestra. He has just returned from a string of solo
engagements in Chicago, Boston, and New York. Ian is a Russian born native of St. Petersburg,
and a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music. He has recorded several CDs including the
very popular “Solo Flight” which includes the two complete Bach “Suites for Solo Cello” among
other works for cello.
Violinist Aleksandr Zhuk was born into a celebrated musical family in Moscow. He
started his musical studies at age six at the Gnessin School for Gifted Children. He holds
degrees from the Utrecht Conservatory and won a Graduate Performance Diploma from the
Peabody Institute in Baltimore. He also performs with the Florida Grand Opera orchestra.
Serbian born violinist, Dina Kostic, holds degrees from Southern Methodist and
Northwestern University. In addition to the MBSQ she plays with Chamber Music Palm Beach,
the Florida Philharmonic and the New World Symphony. Dina performs regularly as a soloist
and has a number of recording credits.
Chauncey Patterson, violist, studied at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, the
Cleveland Institute of Music, and the Curtis Institute. He served as Principal Viola with both the
Denver Symphony and the Buffalo Symphony orchestras. He is currently Solo Violist for
Florida Grand Opera. He has performed at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall,
and the Hollywood Bowl.
“With the holiday hustle already underway,” observes Armitage, “it would be easy for
our neighbors to overlook this special musical event. To simplify getting their tickets, guests can
order and download their tickets online from our website at http://TheEmersonCenter.org or
they can call our box office at 772-778-5249.
Tickets are $20 per person, $10 for students. The Emerson Center is located at 1590 27th
Avenue, at the intersection of 16th Street. Ample on-site parking is available.
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