Conversations With Ensembles | The Classical Station

The Black Oak Ensemble comprises of Grammy-nominated violinist Desirée Ruhstrat, cellist David Cunliffe of the acclaimed Lincoln Trio, and violist Aurélien Fort Pederzoli, a founding member of the groundbreaking Grammy-nominated Spektral Quartet.The ensemble’s debut album, Silenced Voices, is a deeply personal program dedicated to mid-20th-century Jewish composers, most of whom lost their lives during the Holocaust. Rob Kennedy spoke with members of the ensemble about Silenced Voices.Photo: Yaka Sano

From their website: “Carr and Petrova began playing together during their years at the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music, and have since performed together across Europe, the Middle East and North America, in venues ranging from Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall to soup kitchens and food pantries in New Orleans. Their debut album Novel Voices was released on Melos Records in October 2019 to critical acclaim. Spain’s Classical Music Magazine Ritmo chose it as one of their “Top 10 CDs of the Month.” Fanfare Magazine listed the album as “magical” and a “recording to have and hold dear, […] one of the most successful viola and piano recitals – technically perfect and musically involving.” Rob Kennedy spoke with Molly Carr and Anna Petrova about Novel Voices.Photo: David Beyda

From their website: “Gloriæ Dei Cantores Schola presents The Chants of Angels. Using the ancient melodies and texts of the early church, each Gregorian chant depicts a new aspect or story of these heavenly guardians, guides and friends, from the most intimate plea to our own guardian angels, to the great announcement made to the Virgin Mary by the Archangel Gabriel. For those who are new to Gregorian chant and for seasoned scholars, The Chants of Angels allows listeners to simply close their eyes, and be surrounded by these songs of prayer and comfort — just as they are surrounded by angels.” In this conversation, Rob Kennedy speaks with Jim Jordan and Sister Chris about their CD of Gregorian chant.Photo: Stu Rosner

From their website: “The Miró Quartet is one of America’s most celebrated string quartets, having performed throughout the world on the most prestigious concert stages. For twenty-five years the Miró has performed a wide range of repertoire that pays homage to the legacy of the string quartet while looking forward to the future of chamber music by commissioning new works and collaborating with some of today’s most important artists.” Rob Kennedy speaks with members of the quartet about their recording of all the Beethoven string quartets.Photo: Michael Thad Carter

From their website: “Praised by The Strad magazine for their “wit and imagination”, the trailblazing Patterson/Sutton cello and guitar duo continue to be in demand as they bring the rich cello and guitar repertoire to audiences around the world.” In this podcast, Rob Kennedy speaks with Kimberly Patterson and Patrick Sutton about their CD Still Life.