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Pianist Archie Chen joins SSQ for Nov. 21 concert at The Fox

Spokane native and internationally known pianist Archie Chen visits the Spokane String Quartet for a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox. He and the SSQ will perform Dvorak’s Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81. Click here to buy tickets.

Chen is a graduate of Indiana University and the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin, Ireland, where he resided for 15 years before returning to Spokane in 2019. Dr. Chen’s performances have led him to the most prestigious venues throughout the United States, Asia and Europe. A charismatic and commanding performer of solo and chamber music repertoire, he is noted for his warm tone, a dazzling technique and his unusual and compelling interpretations. Chen served as Assistant Professor of Piano at the Royal Irish Academy of Music for many years and along with his wife Rhona Gouldson, is co-founder and CEO of both the Dublin International Piano Festival and the International Piano Academy of Ireland.

Also on the program is music by Ludwig von Beethoven and contemporary Canadian composer Vivian Fung. 

Concert dates set for 2021-22 season

The Spokane String Quartet is excited about returning to the concert stage this fall. Concerts will be Oct. 3 and Nov. 21 at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox and Feb. 20, March 20 and May 22 at the Bing Crosby Theater. All concerts are at 3 p.m. Sundays. Watch for information this summer related to season tickets and single-concert tickets.

SSQ to perform Haydn work for Palm Sunday 2021 concert

The Spokane String Quartet is playing Haydn’s “The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross” this Sunday, March 28, at 2 p.m. in the Sacred Music Series at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, 1115 W. Riverside Ave. (Use the west entrance.)

This piece was originally scheduled to be performed during the Quartet’s 2019-20 season, but was canceled because of the COVID-19 shutdown. We are happy to present it in this very appropriate space.

The free concert is live at 2 p.m., with social distancing in place. Other options to hear the program include a livestream version at https://www.facebook.com/pg/OLLCathedral/videos/?ref=page_internal and the Cathedral’s Facebook page, which will have it available for later viewing. Spokane Public Radio will be broadcasting the concert on “Music That Matters” Monday, April 5, at 7 p.m. on KPBX, 91.1 FM.

We look forward to bringing you more live chamber music in the near future. Stay safe and we’ll see you soon!

May 31 concert canceled

The Spokane String Quartet has canceled its May 31 concert at the Bing Crosby Theater featuring guest violist James Marshall. We hope to reschedule the performance during the 2020-21 season.

We care about our patrons, and do not want to put anyone’s health in jeopardy in these times of concern about coronavirus and COVID-19. Anyone who purchased a single-concert ticket may get a refund from TicketsWest. We will be in touch with season-ticket holders about an alternative event, donation credit or refund.

Our regular summer activities — including scheduling next season — are up in the air as Washington’s counties work their way through the four-stage reopening process. Watch your mail, email and our website for news about next season’s performances.

April 5 concert canceled

The Spokane String Quartet has canceled its April 5 concert at the Bing Crosby Theater featuring Haydn’s “Seven Last Words of Christ.” The Easter-themed concert will not be rescheduled.

We care about our patrons, and do not want to put anyone’s health in jeopardy in these times of concern about coronavirus and COVID-19. Anyone who purchased a single-concert ticket may get a refund from TicketsWest. We will be in touch with season-ticket holders about an alternative event, donation credit or refund.

Give “A Garden of Roses” for Valentine’s Day

The Spokane String Quartet will present the premiere of composer Cary Boyce’s “A Garden of Roses” with the Spokane Kantorei Choir at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox.

The program also features works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ernst von Dohnányi. Click here to buy tickets.

Boyce is artistic co-director and composer-in-residence of the production group and new music ensemble Aguavá New Music Studio. He moved to Spokane in 2012 to become general manager of Spokane Public Radio. The Spokane String Quartet performed his “Nightshade” in September 2015.

The Spokane Kantorei Choir is under the direction of Timothy Westerhaus, director of choirs and vocal studies at Gonzaga University. An earlier incarnation of the Kantorei Choir performed with the String Quartet in November 2018.

Also on the program is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Quartet in D Major, K.499 “Hoffmeister” and Ernst von Dohnányi’s Quartet in D-flat Major, Op. 15.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for seniors and $12 for students. Tickets are available from the Fox Theater ticket office, foxtheaterspokane.org, (509) 624-1200, and at the door the afternoon of the concert.

Concert tickets make great gifts

What would be nicer to find in your stocking on Christmas morning or during one of the days of Hanukkah than tickets to a Spokane String Quartet concert? Concert information and ticket purchasing links for performances Feb. 16 at the Fox and April 5 and 31 at the Bing can be found at http://www.spokanestringquartet.org/concerts/ . And for those year-end gifts, visit https://squareup.com/store/spokanestringquartet/ .