Gyros String Quartet - What’s New | BLOG

Feast of Lights at St. Michael and All Angels

2011-12-30T20:50:00.004-06:00

THE EPIPHANY

The Feast of Lights, Thursday January 5 at 6 p.m.

A service of Epiphany Lessons and Carols with Choir and Chamber Orchestra, directed by James Diaz, modeled after the lessons and carols service of King's College, Cambridge.

Aria in Classic Style—Marcel Grandjany
Hymn: Once in Royal Devid's City
Behold, the Lord the Ruler—Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
Adam Lay Ybounden—Peter Warlock
A Maiden Most Gentle—Andrew Carter
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night—James Diaz and Hyeon Jeong
All This Time —William Walton

Prelude/Postlude:
ERIK SATIE – Gymnopedie No. 1 for strings and harp
J. S. BACH – Overture / Badinerie from Orchestral Suite in B-Minor for flute and strings

Location:
ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS
8011 Douglas Ave.
Dallas, TX 75225
map

Christmas Eve with the Gyros String Quartet

2011-12-18T23:23:00.003-06:00

24 December, 2011

On Christmas Eve you can choose this year again from either two afternoon services, or two Candlelight midnight services:

Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
8011 Douglas
Dallas, TX 75225
(click here for map)

3:00pm and 5:00pm – Christmas liturgy with the Gyros String Quintet, organ and choir.

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St. Luke's Episcopal Church

5923 Royal Lane
Dallas, TX 75230
(click here for map)

Christmas Eve Music, 10:00 pm - with the Gyros String Quartet
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 10:30 pm

or

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
6306 Kenwood Avenue
Dallas, TX 75214
(map)

11:00 pm – prelude with Gyros Strings, 2 oboes, organ and choir

J. S. BACH – Cantata No. 61 - “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland”
ANTONIO VIVALDI – Concerto for two oboes and strings in d - minor
J. S. BACH – Cantata No. 133 - “Ich freue mich in dir”

Midnight Service:

JOHN RUTTER – Candlelight Carol
J. S. BACH – Keyboard Concerto in D Major, BWV 1054

Amanda & Travis at HPUMC

2011-11-19T22:24:00.002-06:00

PROGRAM:

Prelude

Corelli – Concerto Grosso op. 6, No. 8, “Christmas Concerto”
Mozart – “Divertimento No. 1 in D”
Bach – “Largo ma non tanto” from “Concerto for Two Violins”
Purcell – “Rondeau” from “Abdelazar”
Mouret – “Rondeau”

Seating of the Families

Bach – “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring”

Attendant Processional

Pachelbel – “Canon in D”

Bridal Processional

Wagner – “Bridal Chorus”

Wedding Duet

Sager/Foster – “The Prayer”

Unity Candle

Malotte – “The Lord’s Prayer”

Recessional

Handel – “Hornpipe” from “Water Music”

Postlude

Stanley – “Trumpet Voluntary”

GYROS STRING QUARTET:
Aleksandr Snytkin, violin
Amy Faires, violin
Norbert Gerl, viola
Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

Michael Shake, organ & piano
Tom Booth, trumpet

Vocal Soloists
Rachel Higgs
Sterling Shanks

Anne & Travis at St. Thomas Aquinas

2011-11-12T21:10:00.002-06:00

PROGRAM:

Prelude

Arcangelo Corelli – Concerto Grosso op. 6, No. 8, “Christmas Concerto”

Seating of the Families

J. S. Bach – “Prelude from Cello Suite No. 1 in G-Major”

Attendant Processional

Pachelbel – “Canon in D”

Ring Bearer Processional

J. S. Bach – “Sheep May Safely Graze”

Bridal Processional

Clarke – “Trumpet Voluntary”

Presentation of the Gifts

J. S. Bach – “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”

Communion

Lovland/Graham – “You Raise Me Up”

Recessional

Handel – “Hornpipe” from “Water Music”

GYROS STRING QUARTET:
Filip Fenrych, violin
Jennifer Sweetman, violin
Norbert Gerl, viola
Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

Michael Conrady, organ

Coordinator: Sarah Pittman, Lagniappe Weddings

Gabriel Fauré Requiem at Northridge PC

2011-11-02T22:00:00.014-05:00

Northridge Presbyterian Church
6920 Bob-O-Link
Dallas, TX 75214
(map)

Sunday, November 6, 2011

7:00 PM

choral concert with chamber orchestra*
directed by Grady Coyle

Program:
J. S. BACH – Toccata and Fugue in D-minor
J. S. BACH – Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in Bb-major
MARCEL GRANDJANY – “Aria”
GABRIEL FAURÉ – Requiem, op. 48

* The musicians:
Sergey Tsoy – violin & viola
Jennifer Sweetman – viola
Norbert Gerl – viola
Mitch Maxwell – violoncello
Nan Zhang – violoncello
Chris Pike – bass
Naoko Nakamura – harp

Gerald Wood – horn

Heather Test – horn
Grady Coyle – organ & hapsichord continuo

The choir of Northridge Presbyterian Church

Admission is free

Mozart Requiem at St. Thomas Aquinas

2011-10-27T18:44:00.001-05:00

All Souls’ Evening Prayer and Service of Light

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
6306 Kenwood Ave.
Dallas, TX 75214
(map)

All Souls’ Evening Prayer and Service of Light

7:30 pm

Followed immediately by:

Mozart Requiem, K. 626

8:15 pm

Performed by the Saint Thomas Aquinas Choir and orchestra.

Michael Conrady, Conductor

Dee Donasco, Soprano

Tanya Deiter, Alto

Paul Kroeger, Tenor

John Hendricks, Bass

Admission is free

Get a taste here:

Haydn Project, part 3

2011-10-21T12:51:00.004-05:00

This past Sunday, October 17, we resumed the Haydn Project - reading all 68 quartets in chronological order - after a long summer hiatus. Swang had his new violin with him - very exciting!

On the menu - after dinner* - were the 6 quartets in the op. 9 series, written ca. 1769/70 after a ten year break from the op. 1 and op. 2 quartets:

Quartet No. 11 in D minor, Op. 9, No. 4, FHE No. 16, Hoboken No. III:22
Quartet No. 12 in C major, Op. 9, No. 1, FHE No. 7, Hoboken No. III:19
Quartet No. 13 in G major, Op. 9, No. 3, FHE No. 9, Hoboken No. III:21
Quartet No. 14 in E♭ major, Op. 9, No. 2, FHE No. 8, Hoboken No. III:20
Quartet No. 15 in B♭ major, Op. 9, No. 5, FHE No. 17, Hoboken No. III:23
Quartet No. 16 in A major, Op. 9, No. 6, FHE No. 18, Hoboken No. III:24

Some of the standout moments were: the Adagio in No. 2, the Largo cantabile in No. 5, and the brooding d-minor quartet No. 4.

We finished after midnight, still willing to tackle a Mozart viola quintet, but relenting in the interest of good neighborly relations.

Swang Lin, violin
Amy Faires, violin
Jennifer Sweetman, viola
Norbert Gerl, viola
Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

*Chicken Korma, Naan, Tomato and Quinoa salads

Jill & Alan at Katie’s Garden

2011-08-29T18:24:00.001-05:00

This early evening ceremony took place on Saturday, August 27 at the lovely “Katie’s Garden” in McKinney. Announced as one of the hottest weekends this year, temperatures reached a furnace-like 109°. Fortunately we were set up in full shade, but not having to wear a tuxedo was also very helpful.

More information about Katie’s Garden here.

Program:
PRELUDE
The Cranberries – “Dreams”
Hardy – Theme from “Anne of Green Gables”
Morricone – “Gabriel’s Oboe”
Purcell – Rondeau from Abdelazar (from “Pride and Prejudice”)
Legrand – “Windmills of Your Mind”
Goodall – “The Lord is my Shepherd” from “The Vicar of Dibley”
Aphex Twin – “Jynweythek Ylow”
Aphex Twin – “Hy a Scullyas Lyf a Dhagrow”

PROCESSIONAL
Armstrong – “Portuguese Love Theme” from “Love Actually”

RECESSIONAL
MacMaster – “Mother Nature”

POSTLUDE
Handel – “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba”

Heather & Carl at PCPC, June 11, 2011

2011-06-13T14:21:00.001-05:00

For this very unusual ceremony mother-of-the-bride Gail gradually steered the music selections toward a subtle Italian direction. When she asked if it was possible to add an oboe to the string quartet, our good friend and colleague Steve Pettey came immediately to mind. Steve performed as a soloist with us many times at the Dream Café in the ’90s and just last month at a Marie Gabrielle wedding ceremony (we are not sure if this sudden flurry of oboe and string quartet constitutes a trend, but think it's really cool).

The program centered around the Ennio Morricone classic Gabriel’s Oboe from “The Mission” for the seating of the family, but also gave us a chance to revisit the Marcello Oboe Concerto with the famous Adagio (J. S. Bach liked it so much, he transcribed it for keyboard).

Program:

Prelude
Purcell – Rondeau from “Abdelazar” (featured in “Pride & Prejudice”)
Sartori – Con te partiro
Vivaldi – “Spring”
Morricone – Love Theme from “Cinema Paradiso”
Rota – Love Theme from “Romeo and Juliet”
Marcello – Oboe Concerto in C-minor
J. S. Bach – Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring

Ceremony

Seating of the Families

Morricone – “Gabriel’s Oboe”

Wedding Party Processional

Pachelbel – “Canon in D”

Bridal Processional

Clarke – “Prince of Denmark’s March”

Recessional

Handel – “Hornpipe” from “Water Music”

Postlude
Purcell – “Trumpet Tune”

GYROS STRING QUARTET:
Sergey Tsoy, violin
Swang Lin, violin
Norbert Gerl, viola
Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

Steve Pettey, oboe
Colin Howland, organ

Coordinator: Emily Youngblood, Blessed Unions

Once Upon A Time... Storybook Love, part 2

2011-06-01T20:47:00.006-05:00

Ransley and Jamin’s wonderful wedding took place on Saturday, April 23rd, right before Easter, at Texas Discovery Gardens in Fair Park. Featuring long-time friend, colleague and amazing musician Chris Carrington on guitar, along with the string quartet, this rarely used combination allowed for some unusual and imaginative music choices.

Gyros Quintet: Chris Carrington, Mitch Maxwell, Filip Fenrych, April Kondrat, Alik Snytkin

PROGRAM:

Prelude
Hallelujah
Con te Partiro
Gabriel’s Oboe
Yesterday
Vivaldi - Guitar Concerto in D, RV 93

Ceremony

Family Processional

“Concerning Hobbits” from “The Lord of the Rings”

Entrance of the Wedding Party

“Chasing Cars”

Bride and Her Father

“Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You”

Blending of the Sands

“Storybook Love” from “The Princess Bride”

Recessional

“Viva la Vida”

Postlude

“Don’t Stop Believing”

Coordinator: Marsha Ballard French, Stardust Celebrations
Great photos by Sil Azevedo, Azevedo Photography

Laura & Benjamin at Shearith Israel

2011-05-31T22:28:00.003-05:00

This beautiful Jewish wedding took place over the Memorial Day weekend on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at Congregation Shearith Israel.

The ceremony called for 11 pieces (rather unusual) - many featuring Cantor Itzhak Zhrebker - for which new custom arrangements had to be created for string quartet and voice; standouts were the flower girl’s entrance - “Ima Yekara Li” and - for the blessing - “Yevarechecha”.

Program:

Seating of the Grandparents

“My Yiddishe Momme”

Groomsmen

“Jerusalem of Gold”

Groom

“Ose Shalom”

Bridesmaids

“Erev Ba”

Flower Girl

“Ima Yekara Li”

Bridal Processional

“Boi V’Shalom” & “Erev Shel Shoshanim”

During the service

“Mi Bon Siach”

“Mi Adir”
“Yevarechecha”

Recessional

“Chosen Kale Mazel Tov / Siman Tov”

Gyros Quartet: Alik Snytkin, Jenny Sweetman, Norbert Gerl, Mitch Maxwell
photo: LifeAsArt Photography

Once Upon A Time... Storybook Love

2011-04-21T01:17:00.000-05:00

Here is another string quartet arrangement that started as a special request for this weekend’s ceremony at Texas Discovery Gardens in Fairpark: “Once Upon A Time... Storybook Love” from the 1987 Rob Reiner film “The Princess Bride”, composed by Mark Knopfler.

Since long time friend and amazing guitarist Chris Carrington is also on the job this time, it seemed strangely fortuitous that the track features guitar with orchestra.

Here is the original from “The Princess Bride”:

Holy Week Through Mary’s Eyes

2011-04-07T11:19:00.000-05:00

Palm Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 6:00 pm

Highland Park United Methodist Church
Cox Chapel
3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75205 Tel. (214) 521-3111
(map)

GIOVANNI BATTISTA PERGOLESI
Stabat Mater
(for soprano, alto, strings and basso continuo)

Terrie Preskitt-Brown - soprano
Natalie Arduino - mezzo soprano
Chris Brunt - continuo
Gyros String Quartet * with bassist Chris Pike

* Filip Fenrych, Emily Aquin violin, Jennifer Sweetman, viola, Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

Admission is free

Paige & Travis at Watermark Community Church

2011-04-04T23:23:00.003-05:00

Who would have thought that “Concerning Hobbits” would make for a good bridesmaids’ processional?

I wasn't too sure, but made the string quartet arrangement anyway, because I could tell it was important to the bride-to-be. As it turned out, it played very, very beautifully for the 12 attendants, 2 flower girls and ring bearer.

Here's the original from “The Fellowship of the Ring”:

Lenten Music at St.Thomas Aquinas

2011-03-07T06:00:00.008-06:00

The Gyros String Quintet performs Vivaldi’s “Stabat Mater” and “Nisi Dominus” as part of
the St. Thomas Aquinas Stations of the Cross and Concert Series. Stations begin at 7:00 PM and the concerts follow immediately at 8:00 PM.

Admission is free. For more information, visit the parish website at www.stthomasaquinas.org

Friday, March 18, 2011 at 8:00 PM

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
6306 Kenwood Ave.
Dallas, TX 75214
(map)

Program:

ANTONIO VIVALDI
Nisi Dominus, RV 608 & Stabat Mater, RV 621

Laura Bowden & Lilly Clark, contralto
Gary Schnitzer, violin
Emily Aquin, violin
Norbert Gerl, viola
Francesco Mastromatteo, violoncello
Tony Rosario, bass
Michael Conrady, organ continuo

Get a taste here:

April & Caleb at Bella Donna Chapel

2011-03-05T19:19:00.001-06:00

This mid-day ceremony took place on Saturday, March 5 at a new and unfamiliar location for us: the beautiful “Bella Donna Chapel” in McKinney, which - amongst many things to recommend it highly - has great acoustics (this is a musician's blog after all).

More information about the chapel here.

Program:
Prelude:
Bricusse – “Pure Imagination”
Corelli – “Concerto grosso op. 6, No. 8”
Rota – Theme from “Romeo & Juliet”
Purcell – Rondeau from “Abdelazar”
Charpentier – “Prelude to Te Deum”
Bach – “Largo” from Concerto for Two Violins

Wedding Party Processional
Pachelbel – “Canon in D”

Bridal Processional
Wagner – “Bridal Chorus”

Recessional
Mendelssohn – “Wedding March”

Postlude
Handel – “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba”
Vivaldi – “Spring”

Kendall & William

2011-03-04T17:30:00.001-06:00

This beautiful ceremony took place on February 19, 2011 at Highland Park United Methodist Church in the main sanctuary.

Program:

Seating of the Families

Handel – “Thanks be to God”

Wedding Party Processional

Pachelbel – “Canon in D”

Bridal Processional

Clarke – “Trumpet Voluntary”

Meditation

Schubert – “Ave Maria”

Recessional
Mendelssohn – “Wedding March”

Gyros String Quartet
Chris Brunt, organ
Tom Booth, trumpet

Images courtesy of: Scott Hagar Photography

Robin & Andrew at EM

2011-02-10T11:57:00.018-06:00

This beautiful Jewish wedding ceremony took place on Sunday, January 16, 2011 at EM in the Design District.

The program centered around Leonard Cohen's “Halleluja” for the bride’s processional and featured Cantor Itzhak Zhrebker extensively. Custom arrangements for string quartet and voice were created for all ceremony songs with the exception of “Erev Shel Shoshanim” and “Lu yehi” which were played instrumentally.

Rehearsing an hour before prelude with the cantor actually proved to be a bit of a challenge as the reception band was sound-checking at the same time in an adjacent room at full volume. The hazards of the gig :)

Program:

Seating of the Grandparents

Shemer – “Lu yehi”

Groom

Numberg – “S’u Shearim”

Groomsmen & Bridesmaids

Hadar – “Erev Shel Shoshanim”

Bridal Processional

Cohen – “Boi Kala (Hallelujah)”

During the service

“Mi Bosiach”

Mombach – “Baruch Habah”
“Im Eshkachech”

Recessional

“Chosen Kale Mazel Tov / Siman Tov”

Gyros Quartet: Alik Snytkin, Jenny Sweetman, Norbert Gerl, Mitch Maxwell

Coordinator: Meredith Commender, www.significanteventsoftexas.com

Great photos by: LifeAsArt Photography, www.laaphotography.com

Twice in a blue moon

2011-02-04T20:18:00.002-06:00

Dallas on a Friday evening in the snow - it happened in February last year also. The time before that was in 1987.

The New Wedding Video

2011-01-07T16:16:00.000-06:00

Recorded live at Perkins Chapel, SMU, Dallas, Texas on October 16, 2010

Condensed to just under 10 minutes - starting with prelude and culminating with the bride’s processional - this video provides an overview to the emotional feel and sound of a wedding ceremony with the Gyros String Quartet. While nothing can quite replace listening to the quartet live, we hope this brief sampler will give you an idea of the overall experience.

GYROS STRING QUARTET
Aleksandr Snytkin, violin
Amy Faires, violin
Jennifer Sweetman, viola
Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

Crystal & Adam - 1/1/11

2011-01-06T10:30:00.001-06:00

What a great couple to start off the new year! This beautiful wedding ceremony took place on January 1, 2011 at the Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas.

Program:

Seating of the Families

Bach – “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”

Wedding Party Processional

Purcell – “Trumpet Tune”

Bridal Processional

Pachelbel – “Canon in D”

Recessional

Handel – “Hornpipe” from “Water Music”

Postlude
Handel – “La Rejouissance” from “Royal Fireworks”

Coordinator: Emily Youngblood, Blessed Unions
Great photos by Sil Azevedo, Azevedo Photography

Christmas Music at St. Thomas Aquinas

2011-01-05T14:22:00.015-06:00

If you missed the Christmas Eve concert and mass, here are a few souvenirs - Mp3s, photos and video - from the morning rehearsal with:

Lori Fisher, soprano
Lilly Clark, alto
Mark Quintana, tenor
Peyton Strouth, tenor
John Hendricks, bass

The Choir of St. Thomas Aquinas

Gyros String Quintet:
Jing Wang, violin
Sergey Tsoy, violin
Jenny Sweetman, viola
Mitch Maxwell, violoncello
Tony Rosario, bass

Steve Pettey, oboe
Ashley Howe, oboe

Deborah Stribling, organ continuo

Directed by Michael Conrady

J. S. BACH – Cantata No. 140 - “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme”

Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme - Chorus
Wann kommst du, mein Heil? - Duet (Jing Wang, violin solo)
Mein Freund ist mein! - Duet (Steve Pettey, oboe solo)
Gloria sei dir gesungen - Choral

ALESSANDRO MARCELLO – Oboe Concerto in c minor

Adagio (Steve Pettey, oboe solo)

ANTONIO VIVALDI – Gloria, RV 589

FRANZ SCHUBERT – Messe in G-Dur

Video clip: No. 12 (Finale) Cum Sancto Spiritu from Antonio Vivaldi's “Gloria”, RV 589:

Christmas Eve Candlelight Services

2010-12-19T23:56:00.017-06:00

24 December, 2010

On Christmas Eve you can choose from either two afternoon services, and two Candlelight midnight services:

Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church (click here for map)
8011 Douglas, Dallas, Texas 75225, Tel. 214-363-5471

3:00pm and 5:00pm – Christmas liturgy with the Gyros String Quintet, organ and choir.

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St. Luke's Episcopal Church (click here for map)

5923 Royal Lane, Dallas, TX 75230

Christmas Eve Music, 10:00 pm - with the Gyros String Quartet
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 10:30 pm

or

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
6306 Kenwood Avenue, Dallas, TX 75214
(map)

11:00 pm prelude with the Gyros Strings, 2 oboes, organ and choir

J. S. BACH – Cantata No. 140 - “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme”
ALESSANDRO MARCELLO – Oboe Concerto in c minor
ANTONIO VIVALDI – Gloria

Midnight Service:

FRANZ SCHUBERT – Mass in G

Tracie & Chance at St. Andrew

2010-12-02T15:25:00.002-06:00

This very beautiful wedding ceremony took place on September 25, 2010 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano.

Program:

Entrance of the choir

Bach – “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”

Seating of the Family

Bach – “Air on the G String”

Entrance of the Attendants

Handel – “Larghetto” from “Xerxes”

Entrance of the Bride

Rogers – “Wedding Processional” from “The Sound of Music” (trumpet and organ)

Unity Candle

Schubert – “Ave Maria” (boys choir)

Recessional

Mendelssohn – “Wedding March” (trumpet and organ)

Postlude
Handel – “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba”

GYROS STRING QUARTET:
Aleksandr Snytkin, violin
Filip Fenrych, violin
Norbert Gerl, viola
Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

Glen Hummel, trumpet
Bradley Reznicek, organ

Choir: Texas Boys Choir

Coordinator: Marsha Ballard French, Stardust Celebrations

Schubert and Haydn Masses

2010-11-12T12:40:00.000-06:00

Sunday, November 21

You can choose from either a late morning service, or an evening concert:

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
6306 Kenwood Avenue, Dallas, TX 75214
(map)

11:00 AM service with the Gyros String Quintet, organ and choir

FRANZ SCHUBERT – Mass in G
GABRIEL FAURÉ – Cantique de Jean Racine
GUSTAV HOLST – Thaxted

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Northridge Presbyterian Church

6920 Bob-O-Link, Dallas, TX 75214
(map)

7:00 PM choral concert with chamber orchestra*

JOSEPH HAYDN – Missa Brevis St. Joannis de Deo (aka, “Little Organ Mass”)
ANTONIO VIVALDI – Gloria
ALESSANDRO MARCELLO – Oboe Concerto in C-minor

* Gyros String Quintet, Ashley Howe, oboe, Glen Hummel, trumpet

The concert is open to the public at no charge.

The Haydn Project

2010-09-29T21:37:00.004-05:00

This past Sunday, September 26, we started a new project: get together casually once or twice a month, with the idea of working our way through all 68 Haydn string quartets in chronological order, starting with Op. 1, No. 1.

Composed over four decades, between 1757 and 1803, they comprise roughly 20 hours of stunning musical invention -- clearly this will take some time to explore.

The stand out piece came early: the slow movement of Op. 1, No. 1 - showing Haydn at his sunniest - MP3

Swang Lin, violin
Amy Faires, violin
Jennifer Sweetman, viola
Norbert Gerl, viola
Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

Loren & Robert, Shearith Israel

2010-09-14T19:43:00.006-05:00

This lovely ceremony took place on Sunday, September 5, 2010 at Shearith Israel.

Brother of the bride - and very fine clarinetist - Todd Cope suggested collaborating with us in Mozart’s late masterpiece, the “Clarinet Quintet”, KV 581. We ended up playing the complete first movement during prelude - listen to the sample MP3. The sublime “Larghetto” was reserved for the Seating of the Grandparents.

Program:

Prelude

J. S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3

Mozart: Divertimento No. 1 in D Major

Respighi: “Italiana” from Ancient Airs and Dances

Mozart: “Clarinet Quintet” - Allegro

Seating of the Grandparents

Mozart: Larghetto from Clarinet Quintet - MP3

Groom and Parents

S’u Sh’orim (Look Up to the Gates)

Bridal Party & Flower Girls

Mi Bon Siach (Jewish Wedding March)

Bride’s Processional

Pachelbel: Canon in D

Recessional

Siman Tov

Jennifer Sweetman, viola | Todd Cope, clarinet | Oliver Schlaffer, violoncello

Violinists Gary Schnitzer & Ordabek Duissen

Laura & Stephen’s “Real” wedding

2010-09-13T12:51:00.002-05:00

Featured in the Fall/Winter 2010 issue of DWeddings: This very beautiful wedding ceremony took place on Sept. 19, 2009 at Laura’s home in Lakewood.

Program:

Seating of the Grandparents and Parents

Schubert – “Ave Maria”

Wedding Party Processional

Bach – “Air on the G String”

Bridal Processional

Bach – “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”

Recessional

Handel – “Hornpipe” from “Water Music”

Postlude
Handel – “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba”

We blogged about this ceremony last year here -- great photos, as always, by Gary Donihoo, f8 studio

Bridesmaids Playlist on AOL

2010-07-27T19:35:00.010-05:00

Back in February a Los Angeles writer/contributor to InStyle had asked for a list of my favorite music choices for bridesmaids. This was to be for a new AOL web site focused on weddings. I sent it in and promptly forgot about it:

Below is a list of some of my favorite processional choices for bridesmaids - in no particular order. Most were originally requested during the last 8 years or so by brides in search of something a little less boiler-plate. They are - for the most part - big, romantic, sweeping, and just about the right length. If I had to use only one word to describe the music - “poignant” would most easily come to mind. Because of their contrast in mood they also help set the stage for the bride's processional.

I did include Pachelbel's "Canon in D" - how could I not?

Theme from "Anne of Green Gables" (Hagood Hardy)
Gabriel's Oboe (Ennio Morricone)
Love Theme from "Cinema Paradiso" (Andrea Morricone)
Rondeau from "Abdelazar" (Henry Purcell)
Flower Duet from "Lakme" (Leo Delibes)
O mio babbino caro from "Gianni Schicchi" (Giacomo Puccini)
“Adagio” from Concerto Grosso op. 6, No. 8 (Arcangelo Corelli)
Meditation from "Thais" (Jules Massenet)
Pavane, op. 50 (Gabriel Fauré)
Canon in D (Johann Pachelbel)

Today I received an e-mail that her editor had posted the Play-list. Check it out here. Comes with full length sound clips as well.

Souvenir d'amour

2010-07-26T19:47:00.001-05:00

Violinist Sergey Tsoy - one of our favorite Gyros Quartet collaborators - performing one of his own compositions, Souvenir d'amour. It reminds me of a gentler time, perhaps with Michel Legrande and Catherine Deneuve ... Bravo, Sergey!

Beethoven and the Ode to Joy

2010-07-26T17:12:00.007-05:00

For last Saturday's ceremony at Royal Lane Baptist Church the bride and her mom had chosen the “Ode to Joy” for the recessional. They also wanted it played by the strings with organ, as well as the trumpet. I thought this might be a good time to visit Beethoven’s score and come up with something hopefully more reminiscent of the (9th) symphony, as usually some sort of 16 bar hymnal version gets looped over and over until the bridal party has exited.

Here is the result:

MP3 recording from sampler output - will give you a pretty good idea.

In the process of working on this arrangement I found a You-tube clip of the late great Leonard Bernstein, who was not only a fantastic musician, but also had the uncanny ability - much like Joseph Campbell in the field of mythology - to put into words what most of us only instinctively know and feel.

If you can spare a few minutes, I don’t think you will regret it:

Don’t Stop Believin’

2010-05-23T19:35:00.006-05:00

Do you sometimes get the feeling the universe is trying to tell us something? During the week several brides had inquired with some urgency if we would be able to play Journey's 1981 hit Don't Stop Believin’. I had eventually relented and knuckled down to write a string quartet arrangement. Walking to my favorite corner of culture and commerce (Starbucks) on a lazy Sunday afternoon - the unrelenting ear-worm bouncing around in my head - I encounter this stop sign:

“Gabriel’s Oboe“ and “Nella Fantasia”

2010-05-14T10:15:00.016-05:00

One of composer Ennio Morricone’s great movie themes - “Gabriel's Oboe” (from the 1986 film “The Mission”) has long been a favorite for wedding ceremonies. And with good reason. It has an uncanny way, like few others, of infusing a space with the sense of something serene, important and profound is about to happen.

Sarah Brightman eventually got permission (see clip below) to add lyrics in 1998 and the instrumental theme became Nella Fantasia" ("In My Fantasy") and has since then been covered by many others, including Celtic Woman, Paul Potts, Il Divo, etc.

Our client Carla in Portugal provided the necessary incentive to adapt and arrange “Nella Fantasia” for string quartet and voice:

Sarah Brightman introducing the song and what looks like the first performance in Sun City / South Africa in March of 1999:

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Other, recently requested arrangements that have been added to the “sheet music” section on the Gyros String Quartet web site include:

Don’t Stop Believin’ - Journey
At Last - Etta James
Everybody’s Free (to Feel Good) - from Romeo and Juliet (1996)
The Luckiest - Ben Folds
All the Heavens - Third Day
Ave Maria - Caccini
Gabriel’s Oboe - Morricone
Libertango - Piazzolla
Amarillo by Morning - George Strait

Lenten Concert - “Seven Last Words of Christ”

2010-03-03T11:22:00.012-06:00

The Gyros String Quartet performs Joseph Haydn’s “Seven Last Words of Christ” as part of the St. Thomas Aquinas Stations of the Cross and Concert Series. Stations begin at 7:00 PM and the concerts follow immediately at 7:45 PM.

Admission is free. For more information, visit the parish website at www.stthomasaquinas.org

Friday, 19 March, 2010 at 7:00 PM

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church
6306 Kenwood Ave.
Dallas, TX 75214
(map)

Franz Joseph Haydn - The Seven Last Words of Christ, Op. 51 (Hob. III:50-56)
(version for string quintet)

The musicians: Gyros String Quartet * with bassist Tony Rosario

Introduzione
Sonata No. 1 - Pater, dimitte illis, quia nesciunt, quid faciunt
Sonata No. 2 - Hodie mecum eris in paradiso
Sonata No. 3 - Mulier, ecce filius tuus
Sonata No. 4 - Deus meus, Deus meus, utquid dereliquisti me?
Sonata No. 5 - Sitio
Sonata No. 6 - Consumatum est
Sonata No. 7 - In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum
Il Terremoto - (The Earthquake)

* Vesselin Demirev, Lynda O'Connor, violins, Norbert Gerl, viola, Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

Program Notes:

Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809)
The Seven Last Words of our Saviour on the Cross

In 1785 or '86 Haydn, a devout Catholic, received a commission from the cathedral in Cádiz. He was asked to provide descriptive orchestral interludes between the spoken parts of the service in the great Spanish Baroque church during Holy Week, presumably on Good Friday. In 1787, the year in which it was first performed, he transcribed the work for string quartet to give it wider currency, and eventually, in 1795-96, he made a choral version which was published in 1801.

In the preface to that score, Haydn wrote: “Some fifteen years ago I was requested by a canon of Cádiz to compose instrumental music on the seven last words of Our Savior on the Cross. It was customary at the Cathedral of Cádiz to produce an oratorio every year during Lent, the effect of the performance being not a little enhanced by the following circumstances. The walls, windows, and pillars of the church were hung with black cloth, and only one large lamp hanging from the center of the roof broke the solemn darkness. At midday, the doors were closed and the ceremony began. After a short service the bishop ascended the pulpit, pronounced the first of the seven words (or sentences) and delivered a discourse thereon. This ended, he left the pulpit and fell to his knees before the altar. The interval was filled by music. The bishop then in like manner pronounced the second word, then the third, and so on, the orchestra following on the conclusion of each discourse. My composition was subject to these conditions, and it was no easy task to compose seven adagios lasting ten minutes each, and to succeed one another without fatiguing the listeners.

This masterpiece was conceived in a spirit of profound religious conviction. Despite its length and emotional urgency, it is a model of simplicity and sophistication. Above all, Haydn wanted it to be accessible to everybody, regardless of one’s musical or religious background. He wrote: “Each sonata, or movement, is expressed by purely instrumental music in such a way that even the most uninitiated listener will be moved to the very depths of his soul.”

In the hands of a mere four string players, this music cannot achieve the volume and tonal diversity of a symphony orchestra or choir. Nevertheless in the four-voice setting, with only one instrument on a part, it is imbued with a heightened intimacy which larger ensembles cannot possibly match. This music’s emotional and psychological impact is best conveyed through the most subtle variations of timbre, voicing, rhythm, and tempo – techniques ideally suited to a string quartet. Therefore this simplest of all versions may indeed be the most affecting. No less compelling than its more grandiose cousins, it is inherently more personal.

Haydn considered this to be one of his greatest works. But to hear the music by itself, however powerfully it stands alone, is to experience it in only part of its glory. Reunited with the words that served as its inspiration, it takes on a spiritual dimension rarely found in even the most profound compositions. Though its message is decidedly Christian, it transcends the focus of any particular faith. This is music which cuts across religious and social lines and speaks sincerely, eloquently, and passionately to everyone, via the common denominator that exists in the soul of all humanity.The diverse versions of "The Seven Words" have each had their lobby amongst Haydn scholars who have long-debated the merits of the original orchestral score versus the vocal arrangement, the string quartet and the piano arrangement. Today the string quartet - first performed in Vienna on St Cecilia's Day 1787 - is the version heard most often. It is also interesting to notice that the work was already being performed in America in 1793.

Sonata No. 3 - Mulier, ecce filius tuus recorded at Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe in 2007.

Brandi & Christian

2010-02-28T15:28:00.034-06:00

This beautiful wedding ceremony took place on February 27 in Rockwall.

Program:
Seating of the Grandparents and Parents
Bach – “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”

Wedding Party Processional
Pachelbel – “Canon in D”

Bridal Processional
Wagner – “Bridal Chorus”

Unity Candle
Corelli - “Adagio” from Concerto Grosso op. 6, No. 8

Recessional
Mendelssohn - “Wedding March”

Only once in a blue moon

2010-02-11T12:41:00.001-06:00

Dallas on a Thursday morning in the snow - how often does that happen?

J.S.BACH - “Erbarme Dich” Aria - part 2

2010-02-04T00:16:00.014-06:00

Last October I posted about a new adaptation for violin, cello and organ of No. 39 from
St. Matthew Passion - the Aria “Erbarme Dich”, originally for alto solo, solo violin, strings and continuo.

Thanks to Gyros Quartet violinist Vesselin Demirev, cellist Mitch Maxwell and organist Bradley Reznicek who got together right before Christmas at St. Andrew in Plano to read through and rehearse the piece for a bit, we can now have a better idea of how it sounds.

Sheet music available from Edition Maximilian.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

2009-12-08T16:47:00.013-06:00

24 December, 2009
On Christmas Eve you can choose from either two afternoon services, or a Candlelight midnight service:

Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church (click here for map)
8011 Douglas, Dallas, Texas 75225, Tel. 214-363-5471

3:00pm and 5:00pm – Christmas liturgy with the Gyros Quintet, organ and choir.

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St. Luke's Episcopal Church (click here for map)

5923 Royal Lane, Dallas, TX 75230, Tel: 214-368-6304

Christmas Eve Music, 10 pm - with the Gyros String Quartet *
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 10:30 pm

* Vesselin Demirev, Jennifer Sweetman, violins, Norbert Gerl, viola, Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

W. A. Mozart and Marriage

2009-11-28T10:55:00.010-06:00

A client and father of the bride in Tucson, Arizona provided the incentive to adapt Mozart’s “Sull’aria” from the opera “The Marriage of Figaro” for string quartet.

This sublime little duet features in “The Shawshank Redemption”, in one of the great examples of the restorative powers of Mozart’s music.

In case you don’t remember it, here it is:

J.S.BACH - “Erbarme Dich” Aria

2009-10-29T19:23:00.012-05:00

New arrangement has been added to the “sheet music” section on the Gyros String Quartet web site:

Yo Yo Ma’s recording of No. 39 from St. Matthew Passion - the Aria “Erbarme Dich”, for alto solo, solo violin, strings and continuo - gave me the idea that an adaptation for violin, cello and organ could perhaps be useful. Since it involves only three people it might have a better chance of getting performed as well. Normally you would need a minimum of eight.

listen to the Yo-Yo Ma recording on YouTube:

Irving Firefighter's Ball

2009-10-26T15:18:00.002-05:00

On Friday, October 23 the Gyros Quartet played for the Irving Firefighter’s Ball, which this year took place at the “Frontiers of Flight Museum” at Love Field. What a cool place! We were graciously invited to the formal sit down dinner afterward as well. Thank you, Monica!

Donizetti Premiere at Cathedral Guadalupe

2009-10-10T12:51:00.003-05:00

Tuesday, 13 October, 2009 at 7:00 PM

Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe
2215 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75201, Tel. 214-871-1362
(map)

GIOVANNI BATTISTA PERGOLESI
Stabat Mater
(for Soprano, Alto, strings and Basso continuo)

GAETANO DONIZETTI
Parafrasi del Christus (Dallas Premiere)
(for Soprano, Alto and strings)

details on the edition are here

The musicians:
Gyros String Quartet *
with bassist Chris Pike and Brian Bentley, organ
Soprano - Lucy Creech
Mezzo Soprano - Natalie Arduino

Admission is free
* Vesselin Demirev, Kurt Sprenger, violins, Norbert Gerl, viola, Francesco Mastromatteo, violoncello

Pictures below are from the first rehearsal:

The following videos are from the concert on October 13, 2009:

Donizetti: Parafrasi del Christus

1. Larghetto “Per pietà del peccatore”

Pergolesi: Stabat Mater

Part I:

Program Notes:

Gaetano Donizetti (1797 - 1848)

Parafrasi del Christus
1. Larghetto “Per pietà del peccatore”

2. Andante sostenuto - “E qual morte egli sostenne?”
3. Moderato - “Della gloria al seggio eterno”
4. Larghetto - Allegro vivace - “Diegli un nome assai possente”

In June of 1842 Donizetti was appointed Court Composer and director of the Imperial Chapel at Vienna. Circumstances apparently not as rosy as they sound: “Written during six months of doing nothing and six more of resting” was the composer’s wry comment on his situation in a letter to his friend Dolci. His duties were fulfilled with a few brief Offertories. The two longer works composed for the Chapel, the Miserere in G minor and the Parafrasi del Christus, are actually rearrangements of earlier compositions. In a letter to his brother-in-law Donizetti writes: “In ’29 I did it in Naples; in ’44, reworked, cleaned up and elegantly attired, it shines in the Imperial and Royal Library of Vienna”.

The only source for the work is the autograph score of this second version, entitled Parafrasi del Xtus - Per due voci Sop. e Contr. di Donizetti/1844. This manuscript is preserved at the library of San Pietro a Majella Conservatory in Naples.

With text by Serafino Gatti, soprano and mezzo-soprano - perhaps personifying Mary and John beneath the Cross - meditate on the shameful sacrificial death of Christ and his glorious elevation. Donizetti pushes the limits of the customary sacred music of his time and creates a kind of religious opera, which on the one hand is linked to Bellini’s bel canto and on the other already anticipates the dramatic power of Verdi’s church compositions. The work is in four movements, opening - interestingly - in F minor, like Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater”.

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710 - 1736)

Stabat Mater

Laura and Stephen

2009-09-20T16:29:00.014-05:00

Photography: Gary Donihoo - F8 Studio

This very beautiful wedding ceremony took place on September 19, 2009 at Laura’s home in Lakewood.

Program:
Seating of the Grandparents and Parents
Schubert – “Ave Maria”

Wedding Party Processional
Bach – “Air on the G String”

Bridal Processional
Bach – “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”

Recessional
Handel - “Hornpipe” from “Water Music”

Cellist Goes to Great Lenghts

2009-07-23T11:15:00.019-05:00

By MITCH MAXWELL
This project all started one day last week while I was working in the yard when I received a call from my brother-in-law. Looking for just about any excuse to take a break from yard work, I answered the phone. He tells me that his daughter will shortly be celebrating her sixteenth birthday, and he has a special musical request for the occasion. It turns out that my brother-in-law is acting on behalf of a young man who is a good friend and classmate of his daughter, and it seems that this young man has feelings for his daughter that go a little beyond friendship. Sadly, these feelings are as yet not being reciprocated, and she views their relationship as "just friends". From this point forward, to protect privacy, and for the sake of clarity, I will refer to these two young people as Cyrano and Roxanne.

Mind you, I have never gone to great lengths to position myself as an expert in the nightmare that is teenage romance. I only remember the hideous awkwardness of the teenage crush and the nausea which accompanies the inevitable rejection. Nevertheless, I agreed to do what I could to aid in the young man's quest. It so happens that young Cyrano is a budding cellist, and his mission is to play a special piece of music dedicated to Roxanne at her upcoming birthday party. That special piece of music is from the recent film Twilight, which every teenage girl in the world has seen at least a dozen times.

The music in question is a piano piece called "A River Runs Through You", but is it really from the movie? Often confused with, and often erroneously referred to as "Bella's Lullaby" this tune was apparently not in the film and was not written by the composer of the film's score, Carter Burwell. Did we have the right piece of music? I would have to call Norbert, who is scholar and sage on all musical minutiae.

After hours of detective work, neither Norbert nor I could figure out exactly how this little piano piece got attached to the film. It is a bit of a mystery. It is, however, a reality that people are crazy for this music, and Norbert and I set out to somehow make a transcription for cello.

The music itself is not unlike the two part inventions of J.S. Bach in texture and form, but it is of course quite different in content and style. It is immediately obvious that the composer has conceived this music for a specific idiom (the piano). Difficulties can arise when one attempts to transcribe a piece written for an instrument that can accommodate many lines and notes of music at once to an instrument that essentially plays a single line. Fortunately, we discovered that young Cyrano has a buddy who plays guitar, and he could play the bass line (the left hand on the piano) while the cello takes the melody (piano right hand). This not only saved the project, but opened the door to several other possibilities as well!

To make a long story short (not really possible at this point, I realize) we have finished four versions of this piece of music. The first version is in the original key of A Major, which requires a fairly advanced technique as the register is moderately high with some tricky thumb position work. The second version is a much more accessible version in the key of D Major which requires no high register thumb position. Those are only two versions you say? Ah, but Norbert and I have made two more transcriptions of the piece, again one in A Major and one in D Major, for cello duo. I have added bowing and fingering suggestions for all of these versions of the piece. We think it turned out pretty well. There may be other arrangements for other instrumental combinations yet in the pipeline, so stay tuned for that.

In the meantime........best of luck to young Cyrano! and happy 16th birthday to Roxanne!

Anne of Green Gables

2009-07-17T17:51:00.018-05:00

New arrangement has been added in the “sheet music” section (Popular) on the Gyros String Quartet web site:

“Anne’s Theme” from the 1985 TV movie “Anne of Green Gables”

This was a special request for Christine and Stephen’s wedding ceremony on August 1st at Royal Lane Baptist Church.

It turned out to be a perfect processional for the bridesmaids - big, sweeping, romantic and just the right length at 2:30 minutes.

Listen to the live recording - mp3

Vesselin Demirev, violin
Gary Schnitzer, violin
Norbert Gerl, viola
Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

Portuguese Love Theme

2009-06-02T16:00:00.000-05:00

New arrangement has been added in the “sheet music” section (Popular) on the Gyros String Quartet web site:

“Portuguese Love Theme” from the film “Love Actually”

mp3 recording of the string quartet version from sampler output

listen to the original soundtrack on YouTube:

Kimberly and Maurice at St. Jude

2009-05-24T23:18:00.017-05:00

~ the violins are arriving

Gyros String Quartet
Katie Lacy - organ, piano, vocal

Processional
Air on a G String
Canon in D

Ceremony
Responsorial Psalm 128
“May the Lord bless us, may the Lord protect us, all the days,
All the days of our lives.”

Celtic Alleluia
“The love of the Lord lasts forever; let us love one another. God
has shown His love through His Son, Jesus Christ.”

Unity Candle: “Ave Maria” (Bach/Gounod)

Offertory: “Prayer of St. Francis”

Mass Parts from Mass of Creation

Communion: “How Beautiful”

Recessional: “La Rejouissance”

Postlude: “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba”

Matt and Ashley at Prestonwood

2009-04-12T12:08:00.000-05:00

Photography: April Sorenson - Relative Photography

This beautiful wedding ceremony took place on March 7, 2009 at Prestonwood Chapel.

Gyros String Quartet
Glen Hummel, trumpet
James Diaz, organ

Prelude:
“Oh Perfect Love”
“Thaxted”
“Here I am Lord”
“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

Ceremony:
Parents & Grandparents: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”
“Chiming of the Hour”
Bridal Party Entrance: “Canon in D”
Bride’s Entrance: “Trumpet Voluntary”
Unity Candle: “Be Thou My Vision”
Recessional: “Hornpipe” from “Watermusic”

New Arrangements

2009-03-31T11:01:00.007-05:00

Recently requested arrangements have been added to the “sheet music” section on the Gyros String Quartet web site:

Viva La Vida - Coldplay
I’ll Stand By You - The Pretenders
Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol
All I Want Is You - U2
Love Theme from “Romeo and Juliet” - Nino Rota
I Love You, Lord - Laurie Klein
As The Deer - Martin Nystrom
The Prayer - Bocelli / Dion

also, in the classical realm:

the famous aria “Ombra mai fù” from XERXES, for use with a vocalist. Commonly known as Handel's “Largo”, although the original tempo marking was larghetto. Go figure.

Valentine’s Day Recital

2009-02-01T23:38:00.002-06:00

14 February, 2009 at 8:00 pm

St. Andrew United Methodist Church
(click here for map)
5801 W. Plano Parkway
Plano, TX 75093,
Tel. 972-380-8001

Vesselin Demirev – first violinist of the Gyros String Quartet, and Daniel Delpino, piano

Program:
Bach - Ciaccona
Brahms - Sonata No. 3 in d-moll

Intermission

Franck - Sonata
Chausson - Poeme

Admission is free

If you missed the concert, here is the first movement of the Brahms Sonata:

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

2008-12-15T00:25:00.001-06:00

24 December, 2008

St. Luke's Episcopal Church (click here for map)
5923 Royal Lane, Dallas, TX 75230, Tel: 214-368-6304

Christmas Eve Music, 10 pm - with the Gyros String Quartet *
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 10:30 pm

* Aleksandr Snytkin, Jennifer Sweetman, violins, Norbert Gerl, viola, Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

Zounds Grand Opening

2008-09-22T00:33:00.009-05:00

Tuesday, September 23, 2008
12:30 - 2:30 PM

Zounds Hearing Center Grand Opening
with the Gyros String Quartet and Ed “Too Tall” Jones

Preston Park Village
1900 Preston Rd.
Plano, TX 75093
972-758-7377

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008
12:30 - 2:30 PM

Parks at Arlington
3811 S. Cooper St.
Arlington, TX 76015
972-253-2871
Center Location: On 2nd Floor, Near Sears

Photography: Christopher Hartt

Dido & Aeneas in Tyler

2008-02-24T03:19:00.000-06:00

Sunday, 2 March, 2008 at 4:00 pm

First Presbyterian Church
230 West Rusk, Tyler, Texas 75701, Tel. 903.597.6317

Henry Purcell - Dido and Aeneas
Franz Schubert - Mass in G, D. 167

The musicians: Gyros String Quartet with bassist Chris Pike

Admission is free

Christmas Eve Candle Light Service

2007-12-14T02:54:00.002-06:00

24 December, 2007

St. Luke's Episcopal Church (click here for map)
5923 Royal Lane, Dallas, TX 75230, Tel: 214-368-6304

Christmas Eve Music, 10 pm - with the Gyros String Quartet *
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 10:30 pm

* Vesselin Demirev, Sergey Tsoy, violins, Norbert Gerl, viola, Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

Sample:
During Communion: Mozart - Andante cantabile from Quartet in C, K. 465 “Dissonant”

Vesselin Demirev in Recital

2007-05-01T03:43:00.001-05:00

Friday, 4 May, 2007 at 7:30 pm

St. Andrew United Methodist Church
5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, TX 75093, Tel. 972-380-8001

Vesselin Demirev – first violinist of the Gyros String Quartet, and Tommaso Cogato, piano
Works by:
Bach, Mozart, Chausson, Cherkin, Sarasate, Piazzolla

Admission is free

The recordings below are from the concert:

G. Zlatev-Cherkin - Sevdana | Mp3

T. Albinoni - Adagio in G-Minor | Mp3

T. Albinoni - Adagio in G-Minor with organist Bradley Reznicek

For more videos from the concert go to:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=45F8C2BC40885899

The Seven Last Words of Christ

2007-03-16T15:08:00.020-05:00

Palm Sunday, 1 April, 2007 at 6:00 pm

Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe
2215 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75201, Tel. 214-871-1362

Franz Joseph Haydn - The Seven Last Words of Christ, Op. 51 (Hob. III:50-56)
(North American premiere of the new version for string quintet)

The musicians: Gyros String Quartet * with bassist Chris Pike

SAMPLES:

Introduzione - Mp3
(recorded at the first rehearsal)
Sonata No. 1 - Pater, dimitte illis, quia nesciunt, quid faciunt - Mp3
(recorded at the second rehearsal)
Sonata No. 2 - Hodie mecum eris in paradiso - Mp3
(recorded at the first rehearsal, mistakes and all)
Sonata No. 3 - Mulier, ecce filius tuus - Mp3
(this and the following were recorded at the concert at Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe, Palm Sunday, 1 April, 2007)
Sonata No. 4 - Deus meus, Deus meus, utquid dereliquisti me? - Mp3
Sonata No. 5 - Sitio - Mp3
Sonata No. 6 - Consumatum est - Mp3
Sonata No. 7 - In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum - Mp3
Il Terremoto - Mp3 (The Earthquake)

You can also see video clips from the performance (Sonata No. 2, 3, 7 and Il terremoto) here.

Admission is free * Vesselin Demirev, Kurt Sprenger, violins, Norbert Gerl, viola, Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

Program Notes:

Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809)
The Seven Last Words of our Saviour on the Cross

In 1785 or '86 Haydn, a devout Catholic, received a commission from the cathedral in Cádiz. He was asked to provide descriptive orchestral interludes between the spoken parts of the service in the great Spanish Baroque church during Holy Week, presumably on Good Friday. In 1787, the year in which it was first performed, he transcribed the work for string quartet to give it wider currency, and eventually, in 1795-96, he made a choral version which was published in 1801. In the preface to that score, Haydn wrote:

“Some fifteen years ago I was requested by a canon of Cádiz to compose instrumental music on the seven last words of Our Savior on the Cross. It was customary at the Cathedral of Cádiz to produce an oratorio every year during Lent, the effect of the performance being not a little enhanced by the following circumstances. The walls, windows, and pillars of the church were hung with black cloth, and only one large lamp hanging from the center of the roof broke the solemn darkness. At midday, the doors were closed and the ceremony began. After a short service the bishop ascended the pulpit, pronounced the first of the seven words (or sentences) and delivered a discourse thereon. This ended, he left the pulpit and fell to his knees before the altar. The interval was filled by music. The bishop then in like manner pronounced the second word, then the third, and so on, the orchestra following on the conclusion of each discourse. My composition was subject to these conditions, and it was no easy task to compose seven adagios lasting ten minutes each, and to succeed one another without fatiguing the listeners.”

This masterpiece was conceived in a spirit of profound religious conviction. Despite its length and emotional urgency, it is a model of simplicity and sophistication. Above all, Haydn wanted it to be accessible to everybody, regardless of one’s musical or religious background. He wrote: “Each sonata, or movement, is expressed by purely instrumental music in such a way that even the most uninitiated listener will be moved to the very depths of his soul.”

In the hands of a mere four string players, this music cannot achieve the volume and tonal diversity of a symphony orchestra or choir. Nevertheless in the four-voice setting, with only one instrument on a part, it is imbued with a heightened intimacy which larger ensembles cannot possibly match. This music’s emotional and psychological impact is best conveyed through the most subtle variations of timbre, voicing, rhythm, and tempo – techniques ideally suited to a string quartet. Therefore this simplest of all versions may indeed be the most affecting. No less compelling than its more grandiose cousins, it is inherently more personal.

Haydn considered this to be one of his greatest works. But to hear the music by itself, however powerfully it stands alone, is to experience it in only part of its glory. Reunited with the words that served as its inspiration, it takes on a spiritual dimension rarely found in even the most profound compositions. Though its message is decidedly Christian, it transcends the focus of any particular faith. This is music which cuts across religious and social lines and speaks sincerely, eloquently, and passionately to everyone, via the common denominator that exists in the soul of all humanity.The diverse versions of "The Seven Words" have each had their lobby amongst Haydn scholars who have long-debated the merits of the original orchestral score versus the vocal arrangement, the string quartet and the piano arrangement. Today the string quartet - first performed in Vienna on St Cecilia's Day 1787 - is the version heard most often. It is also interesting to notice that the work was already being performed in America in 1793.

Christmas Eve Candle Light Service

2006-12-10T14:39:00.002-06:00

24 December, 2006

St. Luke's Episcopal Church (click here for map)
5923 Royal Lane, Dallas, TX 75230, Tel: 214-368-6304

Christmas Eve Music, 10 pm - with the Gyros String Quartet *
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 10:30 pm

* Vesselin Demirev, Kurt Sprenger, violins, Norbert Gerl, viola, Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

Sample:
During Communion: Haydn - Adagio from String Quartet op. 54, No. 2

Three concerts in March

2005-03-01T14:13:00.012-06:00

In March there are three concerts to choose from. Two feature the “Stabat Mater” by Pergolesi, and the third, Haydn’s “Seven Last Words of our Saviour on the Cross”.
General information and program notes follow below:

Sunday, 13 March, 2005 at 7:00 pm

Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe
2215 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75201, Tel. 214-871-1362

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi - Stabat Mater
(for Soprano, Alto, strings and Basso continuo)

The musicians:
Gyros String Quartet *
with bassist Chris Pike and Brian Bentley, organ
Soprano - Lucy Creech
Mezzo Soprano - Natalie Arduino

Admission is free * Vesselin Demirev, Kurt Sprenger, violins, Norbert Gerl, viola, Mitch Maxwell, violoncello

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Monday, 21 March, 2005 at 7:00 pm

Prince of Peace Catholic Community
5100 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, TX 75093, Tel. 972-380-2100

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi - Stabat Mater
(for Soprano, Alto, strings and Basso continuo)

The musicians: Gyros String Quartet with bassist Chris Pike and Michael Conrady, organ
Soprano - Camille King
Alto - Tanya Deiter

Admission is free

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Maundy Thursday, 24 March, 2005 at 7:00 pm

Lovers Lane United Methodist Church
9200 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX 75220

Franz Joseph Haydn - The Seven Last Words of Christ, Op. 51 (Hob. III:50-56)
(Arranged for String Quartet by the Composer)
First performance of the new and completely revised Urtext Edition

Admission is free
(For additional information, please contact Constantina Tsolainou, Director of Music at 214-706-9594)

Samples:
recorded live at Prince of Peace, Plano, Texas, 4 April, 2004

Introduzione (unfortunately didn’t get recorded)
Sonata I - mp3
Sonata II - mp3
Sonata III - mp3
Sonata IV - mp3
Sonata V - mp3
Sonata VI - mp3
Sonata VII - mp3
Finale - mp3

Program Notes:

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710 - 1736)

Stabat Mater

1. Duet Grave
2. Aria (soprano) Andante amoroso
3. Duet Larghetto
4. Aria (contralto) Allegro
5. Duet Largo - Allegro
6. Aria (soprano) Tempo giusto
7. Aria (contralto) Andantino
8. Duet Allegro
9. Duet Tempo giusto
10. Aria (contralto) Largo
11. Duet Allegro
12. Duet Largo - presto

Death has cut short many composing careers, but to few has it come so cruelly soon as to Pergolesi. He was born and lived near Naples in Italy, in an age when Italy was a patchwork of small states. There was a thriving musical life in Naples at the time, and he entered the conservatory there in 1725. He worked for various patrons in the area, and spent the last two years of his life serving the Duke of Maddaloni. His productive career began at the age of twenty, and by twenty-six he was dead from tuberculosis.

Stabat Mater is a sequence of Latin verses composed by Jacobus de Benedictis in the 13th century, in commemoration of the sorrows of the Virgin Mary. There is a famous setting by Alessandro Scarlatti, another Neapolitan composer, written for womens' voices and strings in about 1700. It is believed that the Duke of Maddaloni commissioned Pergolesi's setting of the Stabat Mater, for the same forces, as a replacement for the Scarlatti work, which was becoming a little old fashioned for contemporary taste.

The work was a sensational success, as attested by the number of printed editions that appeared in rapid succession during the eighteenth century, and the number of manuscript copies still in existence in libraries around the world.

Pergolesi's Stabat Mater is innovative in the field of sacred music in the way it offers a very personal response to the religious experience. The setting is very beautiful, with much use of suspensions - blending one chord into another gradually, as opposed to clean harmony changes. This personal and emotional approach reached its climax in the great requiem of Giuseppi Verdi, 150 years later, and is quite alien to the austere North European approach of Buxtehude, Bach and others.

The words of the Stabat Mater are in two sections - the first part describes the anguish of Mary, standing at the foot of the cross on which her son was dying, while the latter part constitutes a prayer to the Virgin Mary. Pergolesi divides the work into twelve separate numbers.

1. Stabat Mater dolorosa, juxta crucem lacrimosa, dum pendebat Filius.
The sorrowing mother stands weeping, by the cross where her son hangs

2. Cujus animam gementem, contristatam et dolentem, pertransivit gladius.
A sword of shared sorrow and bitter anguish had pierced her heart

3. O quam tristis et afflicata, fuit illa benedicata, Mater Unigeniti.
O What sadness and affliction lay on the blessed Mother of the Lord

4. Quae moerebat et dolebat, Pia Mater, dum videbat nati poenas inclyti.
What grief and sorrow She suffered to see her glorious, dying son

5. Quis est homo qui non fleret, Christi Matrem si videret, in tanto supplicio?
Quis non posset contristari, Piam Matrem contemplari, dolentem cum Filio?
Pro peccatis Suae gentis, vidit Jesum in tormentis, et flagellis subditum.
Is there anyone who would not weep to see the Mother of Christ in such torment?
Is there anyone who could not share her pain?
She saw Jesus scourged and in torment for the sins of His people.

6. Vidit suum dulcem natum, morientem desolatum, dum emisit spiritum.
She saw her sweet son desolate and alone as his spirit passed away.

7. Eja Mater, fons amoris, me sentire vim doloris, fac, ut tecum lugeam.
O Mother, fount of love, touch my spirit with your feeling

8. Fac ut ardeat cor meum, in amando Christum Deum, ut sibi complaceam.
Make my heart glow with the love of Christ

9. Sancta Mater, istud agas, crucifixi fige plagas, cordi meo valide.
Tui Nati vulnerati, tam digati pro me patipoenas mecum divide.
Fac me vere tecum flere, crucifixo condolere, donec ego vixero.
Juxta crucem tecum stare, te libenter sociare, in plancu desidero.
Virgo virginum praeclara, mihi jam non sis amara, fac me tecum plangere.
Holy Mother, fix in my heart the wounds Christ suffered on the cross
Let me share His pain with You, He who loved me so
Let me share your tears, mourning Him who died for me
By the cross with You to weep and pray is all I ask
Greatest of all virgins, let me share your divine grief

10. Fac ut portem Christi mortem, passionis fac consortem. et plagas recolere.
Fac me plagis vulnerari, cruce hac inebriari, ob amorem Filii.
Let me remember Christ's suffering and death on the cross
And let my heart be warmed with the blood He shed for us

11. Inflammatus et accensus, per te, Virgo, sim defensus, in die judicii.
Fac me cruce custodiri, morte Christi premuniri, confoveri gratia.
Defend me, O virgin, from the flames of the day of judgement
When Christ calls me to Him, be my defence and guide

12. Quando corpus morietur, fac ut animae donetur, paradisi gloria! Amen.
While my body dies, may my soul be with you in paradise! Amen

[Most English translations of the Stabat Mater are very flowery and wordy. The version given here is neither ornate nor absolutely literal, but is intended to convey the general meaning of the original.]

Notes by Peter Brien

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Program Notes:

Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809)
The Seven Last Words of our Saviour on the Cross

In 1785 or '86 Haydn, a devout Catholic, received a commission from the cathedral in Cádiz. He was asked to provide descriptive orchestral interludes between the spoken parts of the service in the great Spanish Baroque church during Holy Week, presumably on Good Friday. In 1787, the year in which it was first performed, he transcribed the work for string quartet to give it wider currency, and eventually, in 1795-96, he made a choral version which was published in 1801. In the preface to that score, Haydn wrote:

“Some fifteen years ago I was requested by a canon of Cádiz to compose instrumental music on the seven last words of Our Savior on the Cross. It was customary at the Cathedral of Cádiz to produce an oratorio every year during Lent, the effect of the performance being not a little enhanced by the following circumstances. The walls, windows, and pillars of the church were hung with black cloth, and only one large lamp hanging from the center of the roof broke the solemn darkness. At midday, the doors were closed and the ceremony began. After a short service the bishop ascended the pulpit, pronounced the first of the seven words (or sentences) and delivered a discourse thereon. This ended, he left the pulpit and fell to his knees before the altar. The interval was filled by music. The bishop then in like manner pronounced the second word, then the third, and so on, the orchestra following on the conclusion of each discourse. My composition was subject to these conditions, and it was no easy task to compose seven adagios lasting ten minutes each, and to succeed one another without fatiguing the listeners.”

This masterpiece was conceived in a spirit of profound religious conviction. Despite its length and emotional urgency, it is a model of simplicity and sophistication. Above all, Haydn wanted it to be accessible to everybody, regardless of one’s musical or religious background. He wrote: “Each sonata, or movement, is expressed by purely instrumental music in such a way that even the most uninitiated listener will be moved to the very depths of his soul.”

In the hands of a mere four string players, this music cannot achieve the volume and tonal diversity of a symphony orchestra or choir. Nevertheless in the four-voice setting, with only one instrument on a part, it is imbued with a heightened intimacy which larger ensembles cannot possibly match. This music’s emotional and psychological impact is best conveyed through the most subtle variations of timbre, voicing, rhythm, and tempo – techniques ideally suited to a string quartet. Therefore this simplest of all versions may indeed be the most affecting. No less compelling than its more grandiose cousins, it is inherently more personal.

Haydn considered this to be one of his greatest works. But to hear the music by itself, however powerfully it stands alone, is to experience it in only part of its glory. Reunited with the words that served as its inspiration, it takes on a spiritual dimension rarely found in even the most profound compositions. Though its message is decidedly Christian, it transcends the focus of any particular faith. This is music which cuts across religious and social lines and speaks sincerely, eloquently, and passionately to everyone, via the common denominator that exists in the soul of all humanity.The diverse versions of "The Seven Words" have each had their lobby amongst Haydn scholars who have long-debated the merits of the original orchestral score versus the vocal arrangement, the string quartet and the piano arrangement. Today the string quartet - first performed in Vienna on St Cecilia's Day 1787 - is the version heard most often. It is also interesting to notice that the work was already being performed in America in 1793.

Memorial Concert at St. Pius X

2004-10-01T18:30:00.000-05:00

Sunday, 17 October, 2004 at 7:30 pm

St. Pius X
3030 Gus Thomasson, Dallas, TX 75228
3rd Annual Memorial Concert for Father O'Brien

Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco - Concertino for Harp, String Quartet, 2 Clarinets and Bass Clarinet
Gabriel Pierné - Conzertstück for Harp and String Quartet
W. A. Mozart - Clarinet Quintet
and others TBA

Admission is free

The Seven Last Words

2004-03-16T18:34:00.003-06:00

Sunday, 4 April, 2004 at 6:30 pm

Prince of Peace Catholic Community, Plano

Franz Joseph Haydn - The Seven Last Words of Christ, Op. 51 (Hob. III:50-56)
(Arranged for String Quartet by the Composer)

Admission is free
(For additional information, please contact Michael Conrady, Director of Music and Liturgy at (972) 380-2100)

Samples:
recorded live at Prince of Peace, Plano, Texas, 4 April, 2004

Introduzione (unfortunately didn’t get recorded)
Sonata I - mp3
Sonata II - mp3
Sonata III - mp3
Sonata IV - mp3
Sonata V - mp3
Sonata VI - mp3
Sonata VII - mp3
Finale - mp3

St. Thomas Recital

2004-02-01T23:39:00.015-06:00

Vesselin Demirev – first violinist of the Gyros String Quartet, and Valeria Vetruccio, piano, invite you to an evening of absolutely beautiful and romantic music on 10 February, 2004 at St.Thomas Aquinas, starting at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are $15.00 for adults, $7.00 for students and seniors, available in advance at www.ticketweb.com or at the door.

Don't miss this opportunity to listen to one of our best violin/piano duos in the DFW area, performing in a beautiful church setting.
(if you ever wanted to hear the Bach Chaconne in a "European Style" cathedral, then this would be one of those rare occasions where the environment and the performer come together in the right place.)

Program:

J. S. Bach - Chaconne in d-minor for solo violin
C. Franck - Sonata in A-major
E. Chausson - Poem
P. Vladigerov - Rhapsody
A. Beach - Romance
P. de Sarasate - Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs)

Samples:

* recorded live at Caruth Auditorium, SMU, 28 February, 2001

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Vesselin Demirev was born in Varna, Bulgaria and began his musical studies at the age of four. He is an MA graduate of the prestigious National Academy of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria and has an Artist Certificate in Violin Performance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Mr. Demirev has been concertmaster of the New Symphony Orchestra in Sofia and Abilene Philharmonic, and is currently concertmaster of the Irving Symphony Orchestra and the Plano Symphony Orchestra. He has performed to critical acclaim with major orchestras and in numerous concerts and solo recitals, which have taken him to concert stages in Austria, Hungary, Holland, France, Italy, Spain and the United States. He has recordings under the Gasparo label in New York and the Balkanton label in Sofia. He teaches violin performance, orchestral repertoire, and chamber music at the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University. Future engagements include concerts in Europe and in Philadelphia under the baton of Maestro Rossen Milanov, Assistant Conductor of Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Hector Guzman, Music Director of the Plano and Irving Symphony Orchestras.

Valeria Vetruccio, a native of Italy, is currently studying for her masters degree at Southern Methodist University with Joaquin Achucarro and Alfred Mouledous, on a full scholarship. She graduated in Italy in 1996 with "Summa cum laude", as student of Aquiles Delle Vigne, Franco Scala and Riccardo Risaliti. Upon her graduation Vetruccio was awarded all the prizes and honors for achieving the highest marks in her year in all of Italy. She has given numerous recitals in many Italian cities, such as Rome, Venice, Genoa, Bari, Lecce. After her highly acclaimed debut recital at Wiener Saal in Salzburg at the age of 17, she has been in demand as a soloist in Spain, Austria, France, Belgium, Germany, Brazil and Bulgaria. She also performed in Australia for the Italian Cultural Center of Sydney. Her debut in the United States was in 1999 with a recital at Lang Recital Hall in New York and last January she gave a recital in the prestigious Carnegie Hall. She performed as soloist with many Chamber and Symphony Orchestras, such as the "Carlo Felice" Symphony in Genoa, the Lecce Conservatory Symphony, the "C.P.E.Bach" Chamber Orchestra, the Eurorchestra and the Irving Symphony. Besides her music career, in 2004 Vetruccio will be awarded her doctorate in Anthropology from the Lecce State University, Italy.

Vesselin plays Bruch Concerto

2003-02-01T12:48:00.003-06:00

February 1, 2003

Gyros String Quartet 1st violinist Vesselin Demirev tonight performed the Bruch Violin Concerto with the Irving Symphony Orchestra on the “Joachim” Stradivarius.

For a warm-up Vesselin participated in one of our wedding ceremonies at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, then drove immediately to the hall where he arrived during intermission with just enough time to take the instrument out of the case. You have to love him for that.

Listen to him play the opening here: Bruch - Violin Concerto in g-minor (excerpt) - mp3