Jordan Bak is an acclaimed Jamaican-American violist known for his captivating performances and dynamic interpretations. He has garnered recognition for his exceptional musicianship, particularly as a member of the esteemed Escher Quartet. Bak's artistry will be showcased in an upcoming concert at the Shriver Hall Concert Series on October 27, 2024, where he will perform alongside the quartet, renowned for its profound musical insight and tonal beauty. The evening will feature a diverse program, including Mozart's Prussian Quartet and beloved quintets by Dvořák and Brahms, promising an immersive experience for classical music enthusiasts. Bak's radiant stage presence and lyrical grace have made him a standout in the classical music landscape, and his contributions continue to enrich the cultural tapestry of the community. This concert not only highlights his talents but also honors the legacy of Dr. J. Woodford Howard, Jr. and the commitment of his family to chamber music. As the Escher Quartet embarks on an ambitious season, including performances of Bartok's complete cycle of quartets, Bak's involvement is sure to elevate the experience, making this event a must-see for both seasoned concertgoers and newcomers alike.

Violist

Acclaimed for its profound musical insight and rare tonal beauty, the Escher Quartet opens its PCMS program with Samuel Barber’s Quartet in B Minor, Op. 11, the middle movement of which Barber later arranged for string orchestra as the Adagio for Strings. Following Florence Price’s second quartet—a monumental work that vividly captures the depth of Price’s unique talents—the ensemble is joined by violist Jordan Bak, “a powerhouse musician, with a strong voice and compelling sound” (The Whole Note), for Dvořák’s American string quintet, composed shortly after the composer’s quartet of the same name.

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Escher Quartet Jordan Bak, viola

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Join us for an unforgettable evening of classical music with the Escher Quartet, featuring the prodigious violist Jordan Bak, at the Shriver Hall Concert Series. This special performance, part of The Howard Family Concert and supported by The Reiko T. and Yuan C. Lee Fund for Outstanding String Performers, is scheduled for Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 5:30 pm in the prestigious Shriver Hall.

The evening promises to be a showcase of exceptional talent and musical insight, starting with a Pre-Concert Talk at 4:30 pm, offering audiences a deeper understanding of the pieces to be performed. The concert itself will span approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, including an intermission, ensuring a comprehensive and immersive musical experience.

The program opens with Mozart’s bright Prussian Quartet, lauded by Haydn, setting the stage for a night of eloquent and full-blooded playing by the Escher String Quartet. This Avery Fisher Career Grant-winning ensemble is celebrated for its profound musical insight and rare tonal beauty. Adding to the evening’s allure, Jordan Bak, noted for his lyrical grace and powerful musicianship, will join the quartet to explore the warmth and expressivity of cherished quintets by Dvořák and Brahms.

The Escher Quartet, comprising Adam Barnett-Hart and Brendan Speltz on violins, Pierre LaPointe on viola, and Brook Speltz on cello, has received acclaim worldwide for its insightful performances and tonal beauty. Their 2023-2024 season is marked by ambitious projects, including performances of the complete cycle of quartets by Bela Bartok.

Jordan Bak, an award-winning Jamaican-American violist, brings his radiant stage presence and dynamic interpretations to the stage, promising an evening of captivating performances. His recent achievements and contributions to the classical music landscape make this event a must-see for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

This concert not only celebrates the legacy of Dr. J. Woodford Howard, Jr. and his family's dedication to chamber music but also highlights the contributions of Barbara and the late David Kornblatt to the arts and SHCS. Their passion for contemporary art and music has enabled SHCS to commission and premiere new works, enriching the cultural tapestry of our community.

Don't miss this exceptional evening of classical music at Shriver Hall. Purchase your tickets now and be part of a tradition of excellence in music and community engagement. For more information, visit our website or contact us at infoshriverconcerts.org.

Escher Quartet

Johns Hopkins University

The stars align for the final concert of our Summer Festival celebrating Beethoven’s profound influence on the evolution of music. Messiaen’s transcendent Interstellar Call and Ravel’s heroic and nearly orchestral Piano Trio capture both the grace and power he brought to music. Beethoven’s masterfully entertaining Septet in E-flat Major—arguably, the greatest septet ever written—expresses his exquisite wit and joy. Don’t miss this exciting Summer Festival finale!

FESTIVAL FINALE: Celestial Virtuosity

Reed College

More than any previous composer, Beethoven challenged musicians to reach new heights, redefining musical virtuosity. Tonight’s program features soaring soloist masterworks, including Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No. 3, Jörg Widmann’s clarinet Fantasie, and Weber’s epic Clarinet Quintet arranged for chamber orchestra—performed by some of the world’s finest on their instruments.

SOARING SOLOISTS: Clarinet, Cello & Piano

Patricia Reser Center for the Arts

Embark on a musical journey led by acclaimed Spanish concert pianist and beloved past Festival artist Daniel del Pino, accompanied by the talented violist Marian Herrero, as they unveil a treasure trove of rarely performed masterpieces by Spanish composers. Experience the richness and diversity of Spanish musical heritage in an unforgettable evening curated by these esteemed artists. The culmination of the concert brings together the 2024 Festival Artists in a joyous collaboration for a celebratory performance of Joaquín Turina’s masterpiece, promising an enchanting fusion of talent and tradition.

Daniel del Pino, Marian Herrero, and Friends

The Breakers Newport

Experience the emotional depth of John Williams’ haunting Schindler’s List and the nostalgic charm of E.T., alongside the adventurous spirit of Indiana Jones. Journey through the realms of fantasy with enchanting selections from Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Lion King, and Lord of the Rings, as the magic of film meets the beauty of chamber music. Relive the magic of blockbuster classics performed by our resident Festival Artists at the beloved Blithewold Mansion―the perfect summer outing for classical music lovers and film buffs alike.

Classical Movie Music

Blithewold Manor, Gardens & Arboretum

Witness the dawn of a new day with the Newport Classical Festival Artists as they enchant audiences with a transformative program of meditative musical poetics. Immerse yourself in a harmonious journey curated to instill a profound sense of positivity and buoyancy, leaving an indelible impression that accompanies you throughout the day. Join us for a truly uplifting morning experience that promises to awaken your senses and ignite your spirit, setting the perfect tone for a day filled with inspiration and joy.

Sunrise Meditations

Chinese Tea House

Surrounded by the serene beauty of the Norman Bird Sanctuary, join the Festival Artists for this delightful morning program of Italian chamber music, including an arrangement of Rossini’s beloved William Tell Overture, artfully arranged to captivate and delight audiences amidst the serene natural surroundings. Accompany us for a delightful journey through the heart of Italy’s musical heritage, where each note resonates with the beauty of the landscape, promising a morning of unparalleled enchantment and musical discovery.

Italian Strings in Nature

Norman Bird Sanctuary

**Close Encounters With Music: Gala Concert: Great Piano Quintets**

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on Sunday, June 9, at 4:00 pm, as we celebrate the grandeur of Great Piano Quintets. This gala concert, part of the Close Encounters With Music series, promises to be a majestic journey through the realms of classical music, featuring some of the most profound and beautiful compositions ever written for piano quintet.

The highlight of the evening will be Dvořák’s sublime Piano Quintet in A Major, a piece that occupies a lofty place in the chamber music canon alongside Brahms’s Piano Quintet in F minor, op. 34. These works, known for their symphonic scope, invite the audience into a world of powerful beauty, profundity, and nobility of sentiments, enriched with folk tunes and polkas. The concert will explore the fascinating relationship between Dvořák and Brahms, showcasing how Brahms’s encouragement and mentorship influenced Dvořák’s compositions.

Featuring an all-star ensemble led by artistic director Yehuda Hanani, the concert will include performances by brilliant American pianist Max Levinson, known for his deep and touching interpretations, and violist Jordan Bak, a rising star celebrated for his commanding presence. They will be joined by Ara Gregorian and Hye-Jin Kim on violin, and Yehuda Hanani on cello, making this a truly remarkable gathering of talent.

This event marks the conclusion of Season 32 of Close Encounters, a season that has been bookended by the miraculous output of Johannes Brahms and Dvořák’s folkloric genius. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the spontaneity and vitality of these legendary composers brought to life by an exceptional ensemble.

**Event Details:**
- **Date:** Sunday, June 9
- **Time:** 4:00 pm
- **Location:** Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
- **Tickets:** $28 for Upper Balcony, $52 for Orchestra and Mezzanine

Prepare to be transported by the sonic grandeur of great piano quintets in an ideal partnership of string quartet and piano. Secure your tickets now for an evening of timeless music that promises to touch the soul and uplift the spirit.

Close Encounters With Music: Gala Concert: Great Piano Quintets

Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

Like artist M.C. Escher, for whom it is named, the Escher String Quartet creates its own ‘impossible constructions’, simultaneously showcasing each instrument’s part while melding them into one, offering audiences unusual views and new perspectives. As The Guardian noted, the ensemble displays “fabulous unanimity, tonal warmth and care over detail.”

Escher String Quartet with Jordan Bak, viola

California Institute of Technology

“Caution – Musicians at Play” reads a large, hand-painted sign on the rural Vermont hilltop where, each summer, musicians from all over the world come together to study and rehearse beloved and less-known chamber works. The third Marlboro touring ensemble of this season offers a richly varied program that begins with Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s harmonically beguiling Five Fantasiestücke and concludes with Arnold Schoenberg’s intense, enthralling Verklärte Nacht.

Musicians from Marlboro III

Celebrating its seventh decade of performances, the Musicians from Marlboro are praised for their joyous and thoroughly prepared performances. The Washington Post calls them “so fresh and full-blooded, so full of earthy vitality and sheer sensual pleasure, that it made you happy to be alive.”

Musicians from Marlboro

South Orange Performing Arts Center

In collaboration with Music for Food, Musicians from Marlboro present a concert of Coleridge-Taylor, Dvořák, Webern, and Schoenberg in support of local hunger initiatives. General admission tickets are $30, available for purchase on Marlboro’s website, and additional donations will be accepted online and at the door. 100% of donated proceeds will go to Women’s Lunch Place. 

Marlboro Music School and Festival Presents: Musicians from Marlboro

New England Conservatory

With myriad colors and sounds spanning two centuries, this program offers a unique blend of artistic collaboration and instrumental and interpretational distinction between performers Jordan Bak (viola), Geneva Lewis (violin), and Evren Ozel (piano). From the deeply dramatic and textural landscape of Claude Debussy, the human vulnerability of Robert Schumann, to the precocious, awe-inspiring genius of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, much is to be heard in each of these dynamic works of art. Max Reger rounds out the program with his incredibly passionate Piano Trio No. 1 in B Minor, showcasing the young 18-year-old composer’s musical and technical maturity and brimming with bravura, sensitivity, and promise.

Jordan Bak, Geneva Lewis & Evren Oze Show

The Walls Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Jordan Bak, Geneva Lewis & Evren Ozel

The multi-award winning Merz Trio are joined by brilliant young violist Jordan Bak for a program of solos, trios and the Schuman Piano Quartet.

Merz Trio with Jordan Bak, viola

Wayne State University

Award-winning Jamaican-American violist Jordan Bak was recently hailed a "star in the making ...and a young artist to watch for” (Seattle Post Intelligencer). Bak is building an exciting international career, praised for his radiant stage presence, dynamic interpretations, and fearless power. He makes his Festival Napa Valley debut in this Bouchaine Young Artist concert at CIA Copia.

Jordan Bak

Violist

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 18, 2025

Catalyst Quartet & Jordan Bak · Chamber Music Columbus

Feb 16, 2025

Escher Quartet with violist Jordan Bak · Mobile Chamber Music

Past events

Oct 30, 2024

Escher Quartet Jordan Bak, viola · Philadelphia Chamber Music Society

Oct 27, 2024

Escher Quartet · Shriver Hall Concert Series

Future and recently performed repertoire

Viola in String Quartet in D major by Mozart

Shriver Hall Concert Series

viola in String Quintet No. 3 by Dvořák

Chamber Music Columbus

Viola in String Quintet in E-flat major by Dvořák

Shriver Hall Concert Series

Viola in String Quintet in G major by Brahms

Shriver Hall Concert Series

About

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