NEW LOCATION: Respect|Extract BAE String Quartet

Continuing with the Climate is Culture 2024-25 season theme, Respect|Extract explores human interaction between land/air/sea and our various interpretations. Including works that celebrate the Earth and the way nature can heal; and also nature’s resources and how we use and abuse the land.

NEW LOCATION: Parish Hall at Christ Church Riverdale
Address: 5040 Henry Hudson Parkway East, Bronx, NY 10471

PROGRAM

Across the Calm Waters of Heaven- A Piece for Peace – Ahmed Alabaca

There Will Be Blood Suite – Jonny Greenwood

I. Oil
II. HW/ Hope of New Fields
III. Future Markets 
IV. Stranded the Line
V. Prospectors Quartet 
VI. Detuned Orchestra. 

The Wind in High Places – John Luther Adams

I. Above Sunset Pass 

Chiaroscuro from Music for String Quartet – Michael Begay (Diné)

The Wind in High Places – John Luther Adams

II. Looking Toward Hope

MUSICIANS
Jorge Ávila – Violin
Evelyn Petcher Brandes – Violin
Sunjay Jayaram – Viola
Eliana Mendoza – Cello

Honduran-born violinist JORGE ÁVILA has won consistent high praise from The New York Times through his many appearances as a soloist, concertmaster, recitalist, and chamber musician. A recipient of various awards and honors, Jorge received his Green Card under the “Extraordinary Talent” category, later becoming a US citizen. He was awarded first prize at the 2001 Mu Phi Epsilon Music Competition, and the Omar del Carlo Fellowship at Tanglewood Music Center. Jorge is concertmaster of the Ridgefield Symphony, DCINY and Sacred Music in a Sacred Space series, and is a longtime artist member of the Bronx Arts Ensemble. He has appeared as concertmaster with the Stamford, Westfield and Greenwich Symphonies.  In 2015 Jorge served as concertmaster of the orchestra appearing with His Holiness, Pope Francis, at a televised Mass held at Madison Square Garden.

Violinist and composer EVELYN PETCHER BRANDES brings a passion for innovation and community to her performing and teaching. Her appearances have been throughout the United States and abroad at venues including international concert halls to community venues such as hospitals, museums, and coffee shops. Evelyn is a co-founder of Leadlights Ensemble, a community-focused string quartet based in Washington Heights, and East Lake Expression Engine, an El Sistema-inspired music education program for underprivileged youth in Chattanooga, TN. Evelyn has served as a teaching artist for the New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers program, the Little Orchestra Society and the Youth Orchestra of St. Luke’s.

Sunjay Jayaram – Viola

Longtime artist member of the BAE, cellist ELIANA MENDOZA has performed extensively as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player.  She received a Diploma in Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music. A Winner of the Artists International Competition, she made her solo debut at Weill Recital Hall in New York.  Eliana also performed a solo recital on WGBH, National Public Radio in Boston, and reviews from The Enterprise, Brockton, MA have praised her as “…. a total artist…with a fluid touch, an impassioned mood and notable bearing.” Eliana is also a member of the American Symphony Orchestra, American Composers Orchestra and Westchester Philharmonic.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CONCERT SPONSORS 

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Council and District 11 Councilmember Eric Dinowitz.