Talich Quartet Will Return To Edmond Town Hall Stage This Weekend

For several decades, the Talich Quartet has been recognized internationally as one of Europe’s finest chamber ensembles, and as the embodiment of the great Czech musical tradition. The quartet was founded in 1964 by Jan Talich, during his studies at the Prague Conservatory, and named for his uncle Vaclav Talich, the renowned chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic.

Over the decade of the 1990s, there was a gradual and complete change in personnel, rejuvenating the Quartet while continuing the tradition of its predecessors through involvement in a wide spectrum of musical engagements and recording activities. Jan Talich Jr, the current first violinist, is the son of the quartet’s founder.

The current incarnation of The Talich Quartet will return to Edmond Town Hall in Newtown — having last performed there in October 2005 — for the next concert of the 2009-10 season sponsored by Newtown Friends of Music on Sunday, November 22, for a 3 pm concert performance.

For their program in Newtown the artists have chosen to honor Mendelssohn in his 200th birthday year, followed by an American premiere of Musica Mundi by Benjamin Yusupov, born in Tajikistan in 1962. The Talich premiered this piece in July 2008 in Brussels and has since introduced it on their worldwide tours. The work relies on multicultural influences and is dedicated to the diversity of today’s multicultural society.

Also on the program will be String Quartet No. 14 by Dmitri Shostakovich, to be dedicated to the fond memory of longtime Newtown Friends of Music member and influential program committee member H. Dieter Ashley, who passed away this summer in his 94th year.

Individual tickets for this performance are $20. Students K through 12 are admitted free of charge when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. The box office will open one hour before the start of the concert.

Parking is free behind Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, and the facility is handicap accessible. An informal reception following the concert will offer concert goers the opportunity to meet the artists.

For reservations call 426-6470 or visit NewtownFriendsOfMusic.org.