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The 38th Annual Rockport Chamber Music Festival opens today, June 14. Check out some highlights from the third week (June 27-30), which spotlights the 2019 Grammy-nominated Aizuri Quartet, the JCT Trio, violist Gilad Karni with an ensemble of musicians, and Toronto’s Art of Time Ensemble which will present a program following how the “waltz” has inspired music over 150 years. See the first week’s highlights here.

On Thursday, June 27 at 8 p.m., the Aizuri Quartet brings a mixed program of Haydn and Beethoven as well as new works by Gabriella Smith and Caroline Shaw. The Aizuri Quartet, nominated for a 2019 Grammy for its debut album Blueprinting which features new works written for the Aizuri by five American composers, performs two of these works on the program. The Quartet has quickly risen to the top echelon of chamber ensembles, after receiving the 2018 M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition. They recently served as the MetLiveArts String Quartet-in-Residence at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Formed in 2012 and combining four distinctive musical personalities into a unique collective, the Aizuri Quartet draws its name from “aizuri-e,” a style of predominantly blue Japanese woodblock printing that is noted for its vibrancy and incredible detail.  Tickets are $29 to $39. Earlier the same day (June 27) at 2 p.m., the Aizuri will hold a free Open Rehearsal.

On Friday, June 28 at 8 p.m., the Art of Time Ensemble (and guests) will present an exciting program, “Take this Waltz.” Led by Artistic Director Andrew Burashko, Art of Time Ensemble fuses high art and popular culture in concerts that juxtapose the best of each genre. Art of Time entertains as it enlightens, revealing the universal qualities that lie at the heart of all great music. This program explores the waltz throughout the last 150 years. Tickets are $45-$59.

On Saturday, June 29 at 10 a.m., violinist Danny Koo and pianist Kevin Ahfat host a kid-friendly program that will be fun for the whole family.  Violinist Danny Koo has carved out a distinctive professional profile as a chamber musician, soloist, and recitalist in appearances throughout the world. Danny has shared his artistry and commentary at two TEDxBeaconStreet conferences, taught at New England Conservatory’s Preparatory School, and currently leads Toronto’s Academy Chamber Orchestra alongside Barry Shiffman at the Royal Conservatory of Music. In Korea, he has partnered with ‘Pinkfong’ (creators of Baby Shark) to educate and excite the youngest generation of our world about classical music. The concert is free, no tickets required.

On Saturday, June 29 at 7:30 p.m., violist Gilad Karni performs with pianist Kevin Ahfat, the Aizuri Quartet, and violinists Barry Shiffman and Danny Koo to present a program of Mozart, Dvorák, and Brahms. Violist Gilad Karni has been praised throughout the world for his tone and interpretation. His technique and musicality have earned him countless honors, from first prizes at competitions to leadership roles in some of the world’s finest orchestras. He was a founding member of the Huberman quartet (1996-2001) and performed as a guest with the Jerusalem Quartet on tour with pianist Menahem Pressler at the Concertgebouw and Paul Meyer clarinet, in Paris. He is currently Principal Violist of the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich. Tickets are $29 to $39.

On Saturday, June 29 at 10 p.m., the late-night Cabaret: Musicals held upstairs at the Shalin Liu Performance Center will feature Stefan Jackiw, violin; Danny Koo, violin; Gilad Karni, viola; Allison Eldredge, cello; Andy Milne, piano; and Kevin Ahfat, piano. The program features dramatic works of Bruch and Shostakovich as well as arrangements of musicals for cello and piano and jazz selections. Tickets are $25 seated and $10 standing.

On Sunday, June 30 at 5 p.m., the JCT Trio performs in the Rockport Chamber Music Festival. Three renowned artists of the next generation combine talents in this piano trio, JCT (pronounced “junction”), which is hailed for their “bracing technique and jaw-dropping precision… A sense of unity, especially in dynamics and rhythmic thrust…” (Aspen Times). Violinist Stefan Jackiw returns to Rockport with Conrad Tao and cellist Jay Campbell. Approaching both old and new works with the same curiosity and emotional commitment, Campbell appears worldwide as a pianist and composer. Tickets are $35 to $49.

On Wednesday, July 3 at 2 p.m., pianist Sae Yoon Chon performs in a Young Artist Spotlight. First prize winner at the 2018 Dublin International Piano Competition, he began playing piano at the age of six and started studying at the Yewon Art School in Korea when he was ten. He made his debut with the Cleveland Orchestra at the age of 18. He is currently studying with John O’Conor and James Anagnoson at The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory in Toronto. The concert is free, no tickets required.

TICKETING DETAILS

Tickets are on sale now. Visit rockportmusic.org for more details.