Yeshiva University Presents the Momenta Quartet and Katharine Dain, 4/11

Now in its seventh and most prolific season, the "outstanding" Momenta Quartet takes on the monumental second string quartet of Arnold Schoenberg with "engaging" soprano Katharine Dain at 8pm on Monday, April 11th at the Center for Jewish History as part of its ongoing residency at Yeshiva University's Stern College. The program also features Lament for Solo Cello by Yeshiva University faculty Bart Bartholomew and the String Quartet no. 5 (1991) by Philip Glass, who all but invented the concept of the "Minimalism" in the 1960s and has since written major film scores and commissions for the Metropolitan Opera.

April 11, 2011, 8pm:
The Center for Jewish History
15 W. 16th St., NYC
Admission: $15/$10 for students and seniors
www.cjh.org

Described by Time Out New York as "an outstanding ensemble prone to innovation and exploration," the Momenta Quartet (Emilie-Anne Gendron and Asmira Woodward-Page, violins; Stephanie Griffin, viola; Michael Haas, cello) has given over 50 world premieres since 2004 and presented refreshing programs of contemporary music with a focus on the creativity of composers from the new world. Based in New York City, Momenta has performed at some of New York's alternative venues such as The Stone and Roulette, and at more mainstream venues such as Bargemusic and Symphony Space. In residence at Temple University for six years, Momenta has also performed and lectured at numerous American Colleges and in England, Singapore and Indonesia.

Soprano Katharine Dain has been praised by The New York Times for her "rich tone," "deep emotion," and "lovely, passionate" performances. Her opera credits include Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), the title role of Cavalli's La Calisto, and various premieres of contemporary operas. She also has extensive experience in oratorio and concert music from all periods. She has performed with the Alexandria Symphony, Ravinia Festival (where she was a 2009 Steans Fellow), Amherst Early Music Festival, Collegiate Chorale, Mark Morris Dance Group, New York City Ballet, Joy in Singing, and the New York Festival of Song in venues including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. She has co-founded two critically acclaimed chamber groups in New York: Callisto Ascending, a period-instrument ensemble, and Lunatics at Large, a contemporary chamber group lauded as "young, energetic and highly polished" by senior Times critic Allan Kozinn. She holds degrees from Harvard University, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and Mannes College of Music.

The Momenta Quartet's 2011 New York season is made possible through the generous support of the Aaron Copland Fund for Music and with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State's 62 counties.

For more information: www.momentaquartet.com.