The Huntington Jewish Center is presenting the Ridotto Concert Series with the Bayberry String Quartet on Sunday, Feb. 16.
The concert, featuring the works of Beethoven and Mozart, is designed for both classical music newcomers and seasoned listeners. It will run from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave.
Bayberry String Quartet, a collaboration of four friends each with their own musical expertise, recently performed at Carnegie Hall, the Chautauqua Institute, and the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society’s CMS Kids, among other venues, according to their website.
The ensemble will perform selections from their new CD, Only Mozarts in the Building, which celebrates early Mozart, as well as Beethoven’s Quartet in C Minor, Op. 18, two Mozart Milanese quartets, and more.
In an interview with South Shore Press, violinist Nurit Pacht explained how Bayberry is fulfilling the dream of each member of the ensemble to be in a string quartet.
“I don’t want to be on my death bed not having played every single Beethoven string quartet and not just played it but had a deep dive and worked on it intensively and so in this program, in the second half, we’re playing a Beethoven string quartet,” she said.
Pacht studied in Israel with the concertmaster of the Israeli Philharmonic, in Los Angeles, and at The Juilliard School in New York. She lives in New Rochelle, N.Y., and the ensemble takes its name from her caring neighborhood.
“We’re all good friends, and I don’t know, it just seemed like a good match for the quartet name,” she said.
Other members include violist Gabe Bolkosky, who has released seven CDs showcasing his diversity; cellist Laura Usiskin, who founded the Montgomery Music Project for kids; and violinist Steffani Kitayama, who is also a ballerina and studied with some of the great quartet players.
The program will be narrated by Margaretha Maimone, who founded the Ridotto Concert Series with pianist Monique Copper in 1984 in her native Amsterdam and brought it to Huntington in 1992.
“One of the special things about chamber music is that it’s not always about performing. It’s also about conversation. It’s about reacting and listening,” Pacht said, highlighting the intimate room-like settings that are the hallmark of this genre.
She noted that many people who have never attended a quartet concert come away with a new appreciation.
“They didn’t know what to expect and they didn’t realize how thrilling it is, especially with Beethoven, how thrilling the music is, and there’s just so many components,” she said.
Whether new to string quartets or a regular attendee, Pacht said, “I’m sure people are really going to enjoy the concert.”
For tickets call 631-385-0373 or email ridotto@optonline.net.