(Crown City String Quartet | Photo courtesy of High Desert Chamber Music)
High Desert Chamber Music’s (HDCM) 2023-24 season, presented by German Master Tech, will conclude in May with the Crown City String Quartet. As resident performers, the group has made an annual appearance in Bend over the past 15 years. The group consists of violinists Isabelle Senger and Kevin Kumar, violist Carrie Holzman-Little, and cellist Dane Little. Founded in 2007, their performances have been praised as “sublime” and “simply moving and spectacular”. Based in the Crown City —Pasadena, California—the members are current and former members and principal players of some of Southern California’s most renowned music organizations, including the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, and San Diego Chamber Orchestra. They are regularly featured in a number of concert series in Southern California and the Pacific Northwest.
This concert is brought to you by Hayden Homes and will take place on Friday, May 17, 2024, at 7:30pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon. Ticket holders may join Scott Elnes from Central Oregon Daily for a concert preview with the musicians at 6:45pm.
The program includes String Quartet in D minor by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and String Quartet No.2 by Alexander Borodin. Also on the program will be the premiere of a new work by Hollywood composer and local Bend resident Chris Thomas, commissioned by High Desert Chamber Music for the group. “I’m so excited the Crown City String Quartet will premiere my new piece, Potion of Eleusis! It’s not everyday a composer is treated to an esteemed ensemble playing your new works, so this is a very special event for me,” says Chris Thomas. “I’ve always been fascinated by ancient traditions, especially ones that include a psychedelically-fueled, multi-day processional that leads to a cave of visions. The music paints a picture of the ecstatic energy I’ve always imagined one might have felt during such a wild ritual. I’m so curious what the audience will experience when hearing this music for the first time, and I hope to hear all about it after!”
High Desert Chamber Music’s mission is to bring world-class chamber music and musicians to Central Oregon. Now in its sixteenth season, HDCM presents an acclaimed series of classical chamber music concerts, ranging from piano duos to string sextets. As the premier and leading chamber music organization in the region, HDCM offers an exciting roster of professional performing artists. Tickets for all events are available through HDCM online, by phone, or in person at their office in Downtown Bend.
HDCM 2023-2024 title sponsors include German Master Tech, Miller Lumber, Hayden Homes, Pine Tavern Restaurant, Drew Family Dentistry, Three Graces & Co., Cascade A&E, Central Oregon Daily and Newstalk KBND and 107.7 Radio. Additional support provided by Creative Images of Life, and TDS.
General Admission: $48, Child/Student Tickets $10
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon – 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd. Bend, OR 97703
highdesertchambermusic.com • 541-306-3988 • info@HighDesertChamberMusic.com • 961 NW Brooks St. (Downtown Bend)