The New Hollywood String Quartet doesn’t mind doing things the old-fashioned way. Anyone familiar with chamber music in Los Angeles, or beyond, will pick up on that fact instantly from the ensemble’s name, which honors one of the great chamber groups of the last century. The Hollywood String Quartet, active from 1939 to 1961, comprised some of the leading orchestral players of its day, and the new quartet takes inspiration from that model, made up of members of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
It makes sense, then, that the NHSQ would turn to the cornerstones of the classical repertoire, too. The group likes to focus on one composer at a time and do it in depth with projects such as 2019’s “Summer of Brahms” Festival, which covered all 25 of the composer’s instrumental chamber works across eight concerts.
Now, Beethoven is getting the same treatment. From July 14–17, the NHSQ will present its “Summer of Beethoven” Festival, in partnership with The Da Camera Society of Mount Saint Mary’s University.
Performing all of the composer’s chamber pieces won’t be feasible this time, but the ensemble has curated a smart sample. Each of the four concerts features one of the string quartets, from Beethoven’s first (Op. 18, No. 1) to his last (Op. 135). The New Hollywood players — violinists Tereza Stanislav and Rafael Rishik, violist Robert Brophy, and cellist Andrew Shulman — add guests to the mix for a couple of piano trios; the seldom-performed String Quintet in C Major, Op. 29; favorites like the Septet in E-Flat Major, Op. 20; and plenty more.
Musicians joining the group for these programs include violinist Anne Akiko Meyers; LA Phil principal players Martin Chalifour, Boris Allakhverdyan, and Robert deMaine; pianists Fabio Bidini and Rohan De Silva; and more.
For tickets and the complete festival schedule, visit the New Hollywood String Quartet’s website.
