Austin Orchestra Debuts At Smith Chapel

The Austin Symphony Quartet players include ASO Concertmaster Jessica Mathaes, principal second violinist Richard Kilmer, principal violist Bruce Williams and principal cellist Douglas Harvey. This opening concert takes place at the picturesque Smith Family Chapel on the campus of Riverbend Church. It is the vision of the Austin Symphony Quartet to create a four-concert string quartet series starting in the fall of 2008 as part of the Austin Symphony's wide variety of musical offerings. Mathaes, Kilmer, Williams and Harvey are four of Texas' most talented artists and are poised to make history on the Austin classical music scene. They intend to treat Austin classical music lovers for generations to come to the unparalleled string quartet repertoire.

The ASQ begins the afternoon with Mozart's String Quartet in B-flat Major, K. 589. It was inevitable that Mozart should also show his mastery in music for smaller groups of instruments as he had for his larger works. This B-flat Major Quartet is number 22 of 23 quartets composed by Mozart.

The afternoon also includes the Third String Quartet of Mexican composer Carlos Chávez. His investigation into Indian cultures, native folk music and dance forms were of significant influence in his music, which was characterized by a highly distinctive use of crossrhythms, syncopation, irregular meter and colorful orchestration.

Finishing out the afternoon is the Franz Schubert "Death and the Maiden" string quartet, No. 14 in D Minor. Of Schubert's various string quartets, this quartet, with variations on the song of the same name, is one of his most familiar. -- www.austinsymphony.org