News Release

Ohio Wesleyan University’s Department of Music Presents: “Bohemian Rhapsody” with the Carpe Diem String Quartet and Pianist Cameron Bennett

January 9, 2009

The Carpe Diem String Quartet

Photo by Photo Brilliance – Karina Wetherbee

This program will feature Dohnányi’s String Quartet No. 3 in A minor, Op. 33 and Dvořák’s Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 81. Admission is free and open to the public.

Carpe Diem String Quartet, ensemble-in-residence at Ohio Wesleyan, is an exciting group that has captured the imagination of audiences, the respect of critics, and is becoming one of the most versatile ensembles of its generation. Carpe Diem has earned critical acclaim with innovative programs, electrifying performances, and a passion for audience engagement. The quartet—violinists Charles Wetherbee and John Ewing, violist Korine Fujiwara, and cellist Diego Fainguersch—is dedicated to music education and outreach, and regularly performs educational programs specifically designed to relate to students of all ages and establish classical music’s relevance to their lives.

Recent projects include a newly completed recording of “Songs without Words” written expressly for Carpe Diem by composer Bruce Wolosoff. These energetic, refreshing, and accessible pieces are based on popular music, and will be available in 2009. Carpe Diem continues recording the nine string quartets of Sergey Taneyev on the Naxos label. The first CD of this series was selected for the 51st Grammy Awards Entry List (2009) in four categories: Best Classical Album, Best Chamber Music Performance, Best New Artist, and Best Engineered Album-Classical. This season, Carpe Diem has launched a dynamic new concert series in Columbus called “Seize the Music.”

Upcoming concerts include tours to New York City, Texas, Colorado, the Mid-West, and Russia. This year, Carpe Diem will be performing at the OWU·//·NOW New Music Festival, featuring the music of Peter Schickele, and the world premiere of Jonathan Leshnoff’s “Edelmann” quartet. The quartet will also be participating in the contemporary music festival at Ohio State University, performing Jennifer Higdon’s “Sky Quartet”. The quartet continues its collaborative work with Columbus Dance Theater, and with international Accordion and Bandoneon performer Peter Soave.

Cameron Bennett

Photo courtesy of Cameron Bennett

Jemison Auditorium is in Sanborn Hall, located at 23 Elizabeth St., Delaware, Ohio, 43015. For additional information, call 740/ 368-3700, musicd@owu.edu or music.owu.edu.

Ohio Wesleyan University is an undergraduate liberal arts college that transforms the lives of its students through a combination of rigorous academics, mentoring relationships, and real-world experiences. Featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives,” the private university’s 1,850 students come from 47 states and 50 countries. Visit www.owu.edu for more information.

MP3 Samples

The following are 1-minute MP3 samples of the Carpe Diem String Quartet:

(MP3s courtesy of the Carpe Diem String Quartet)