HIGHLIGHTS - 2014 Festival of Music, Santa Catarina Brazil (FEMUSC)

After arriving in Santa Catarina, Brazil for the international music festival FEMUSC, the ASQ spent two weeks performing and leading a string quartet program for young professional quartets.  Here are a few notes, pictures, and comments highlighting the much enjoyed international festival:

Almost home after two weeks in Brazil at FEMUSC. The Arianna Quartet was honored to work with these amazing young quartets from Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and South Africa. The world comes together at FEMUSC, and the teaching, learning and performances give us inspiration for the entire year. Obrigado!!
-Kurt Baldwin, Arianna String Quartet

Here we are with all the wonderful quartet participants!

I miss so much the intensive coaching, the daily masterclasses, the almost daily performances, the amazing concerts. I especially miss you guys. You are truly amazing for sharing all the knowledge and experience you have as a quartet. We are so inspired by you! ¡Abrazos fuertes desde México!

-Anamar Garcia, Tamayo Quartet, Mexico

Masterclass with Joanna Mendoza. Schubert Cello Quintet featuring Kurt Baldwin. Opportunity more than special

-Deo Creati Quartet, Brazil

We meet up again with the Stellenbosch Quartet from South Africa, whom we worked with last August in Cape Town

We are so incredibly grateful to The Arianna String Quartet for giving us the key to unlocking another dimension of our Quartet playing. You will not find more dedicated people when it comes to string quartet playing and teaching than these four, Thank you for an incredible two weeks!
-Janna Khweis Thomas, Stellenbosch String Quartet, South Africa

In addition to teaching  we had the opportunity to perform multiple times  in the Grand Theater of the Artistic Cultural Center of Jaragua do Sul.

Ainsi la Nuit, by Dutillieux

With flutist Alberto Almarza:  Vieux Carre, by Liduino Pitombeira

Dvorak Piano Quintet with pianist Ricardo Castro.

To celebrate the last day, we hosted a chamber music reading party for all of the quartets, plus some honorary members! 

Here, a most unusual and impressive rendition of Mendelssohn Octet, with Alex Klein playing first on oboe and Rob Weir playing second cello on bassoon!!

For more comments about our FEMUSC experience visit our Facebook page .