Music Mondays: The Harlem Quartet & Karen Slack, soprano; Aaron Wunsch, piano
Free (RSVP available, but not required)
- Karen Slack, soprano
- Aaron Wunsch, piano
- Ilmar Gavilán, violin
- Melissa White, violin
- Jaime Amador, viola
- Felix Umansky, cello
Traditional — Selected works (African American spirituals TBA)
Caroline Shaw — Entr'acte
George Walker — Lyric for Strings
Scott Gendel — Kids Who Die (NY premiere; text by Langston Hughes)
The Harlem Quartet leads a special program for MLK Day, which brings together music by Beethoven, spirituals, and works by African American and contemporary composers, playing all with equal "panache." (The New York Times) Joining them in a new collaboration is "feisty, rich-voiced" soprano Karen Slack (The New York Times), featured at the Metropolitan Opera in Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, in a powerful new setting of Langston Hughes's poem, Kids Who Die, for soprano, piano, and string quartet.
Reserving tickets: Most of our 300 seats are for those who just show up — but as a courtesy to our friends who work late, we set aside some advance reservations for general admission. All other seats are 'first come, first served' and are available as early as 6:45pm, when the doors open. Note that reservations are good for entrance only, not for specific seats. Reservations are void after 7:20pm.
If reservations are gone, don't worry — just show up! It is rare for Music Mondays to turn anyone away.
About Harlem Quartet
Harlem Quartet advances diversity in classical music while engaging new audiences with varied repertoire that includes works by minority composers. Their mission to share their passion with a wider audience has taken them around the world; from a 2009 performance at the White House for President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, to a highly successful tour of South Africa in 2012, and numerous venues in between. The musically versatile ensemble has performed with such distinguished artists as Itzhak Perlman, Ida Kavafian, Carter Brey, Fred Sherry, Misha Dichter, Jeremy Denk, and Paquito D'Rivera. The quartet also collaborated with jazz masters Chick Corea and Gary Burton on the album Hot House, a 2013 multi-Grammy Award winning release.
http://harlemquartet.com/About Karen Slack, soprano
Hailed for possessing a voice of extraordinary beauty, a seamless legato and great dramatic depth, American soprano Karen Slack has garnered international renown for her artistic versatility, charisma and entrepreneurial endeavors. A recipient of the 2022 Sphinx Medal of Excellence, Slack is known for her dynamic and passionate performances in both lead operatic roles and on the concert stage; as a sought-after collaborator, curator, and artistic advisor; and for her ground-breaking approach to engagement.
https://mkiartists.com/karen-slackAbout Aaron Wunsch, piano
About Ilmar Gavilán, violin
Cuban-American violinist Ilmar Gavilán, a native of Havana, has had a remarkable performing career that has taken him all over the world. This fascinating journey ranges from performing for world leaders such as President Obama at the White House and Queen Sofia of Spain at The Royal Palace of Madrid to performing with top stature artists of diverse styles such as Itzhak Perlman and Chick Corea.
https://www.msmnyc.edu/faculty/ilmar-gavilan/About Melissa White, violin
American violinist Melissa White has enchanted audiences and critics around the world as both a soloist and a chamber musician. White emerges from the summer of 2022 resplendent with new achievements and milestones in a skyrocketing career that continues to span the globe.
https://melissawhiteviolin.com/About Jaime Amador, viola
Hailed by the Washington Post for his "sophisticated and precise playing," violist Jaime Amador has distinguished himself among the latest generation of musicians to emerge from Puerto Rico.
https://www.foosamusic.org/jaime-amadorAbout Felix Umansky, cello
Praised for his "sublime" playing by Cleveland Classical, cellist Felix Umansky is a frequently sought-after recitalist, chamber musician, and pedagogue. His versatile career has taken him all over Europe and North America where he has performed in some of the most prestigious concert halls including Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lincoln Center, the Krannert Center, and the Kennedy Center.
https://www.micm.org/school/faculty/cello/felix-umansky/