Marinus Ensemble with Michael Rusinek (Clarinet ’92)
The ever-changing, ever-engaging Marinus Ensemble is flexible in size and shape to accommodate a broad range of repertoire. Focused on a threefold mission of chamber concerts, audience interaction, and residencies, Marinus counts many Curtis alumni among its members. For this special recital, a Curtis faculty member and alumnus joins Marinus as a guest: Michael Rusinek, principal clarinet of the Pittsburgh Symphony, noted for his “lavish, supple timbre” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).
MAHLER Piano Quartet in A Minor
Nikki Chooi, violin
Rachel Yonan, viola
Angela Park, cello
Kwan Yi, piano
BEETHOVEN Trio in B-Flat Major, Op. 11
Michael Rusinek, clarinet
Angela Park, cello
Kwan Yi, piano
GOLIJOV The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind
Michael Rusinek, clarinet
Timothy Fain and Nikki Chooi, violins
Rachel Yonan, viola
Angela Park, cello
Artists:
Michael Rusinek, clarinet (’92)
Timothy Fain, violin (’98)
Nikki Chooi, violin (’12)
Rachel Yonan, viola (’11)
Angela Park, cello (’07)
Kwan Yi, piano (’08)
BIOGRAPHIES
DID YOU KNOW?
- Mahler’s Piano Quartet in A Minor is his only surviving chamber work without voice.
- Beethoven’s Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 11 also goes by the nickname “Gassenhauer.” In 18th-century Vienna, a Gassenhauer” was a tune so popular that many would sing or whistle it to themselves without even knowing the source—what we might describe as an “earworm” today. Beethoven chose such a melody for a set of variations as the last movement of this trio. The tune came from a popular comic opera of the time, L’amor marinaro (The Corsair in Love) by Josef Weigl. Other composers who used this melody included Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Niccolò Paganini.
- In Golijov’s Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind, the string quartet imitates an accordion in the prelude, a klezmer band in the second movement, and a shepherd’s flute in the final movement.
The Curtis Presents season is sponsored by Blank Rome LLP.
