Violinist Sibbi Bernhardsson (left) and violist Masumi Per Rostad
The annual Fall String Festival will feature two guest artists, violinist Sibbi Bernhardsson and violist Masumi Per Rostad, formerly of the internationally renowned Pacifica Quartet, for a master class and public recital at Fredonia on Saturday, Sept. 28.
“Having the former Pacifica Quartet members on the campus of Fredonia is a big deal – for students and music lovers,” said Associate Professor Natasha Farny. “It is an opportunity to hear and listen to really fine musicianship.”
Music of Brahms and Beethoven will be performed at the recital at Rosch Recital Hall, beginning at 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for the general public and will be available at the door and at the Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center.
During their long tenure with the quartet, both musicians won GRAMMYs, played all over the world in the finest concert halls and collaborated with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and members of the Cleveland and Guarneri quartets. Pacifica Quartet was named Musical America magazine’s Ensemble of the Year and has served as the quartet-in-residence at the Metropolitan Music of Art, Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University and the University of Chicago.
Mr. Bernhardsson, a native of Iceland and professor of violin at Oberlin College and Conservatory, has performed at Edinburgh Festival, Iceland Art Festival and Music@Menlo. He gives master classes and concerts across the United States, Europe and Asia.
Mr. Rostad, associate professor of viola at Eastman School of Music, has been praised for his rich and expressive tone, energy and commanding presence, and described by critics as an “electrifying, poetic and sensitive musician.” He has performed as a soloist at prominent festivals, including Spoleto Festival USA, Music@Menlo and Marlboro and Rockport Chamber Music festivals, and collaborated with the St. Lawrence String Quartet, Pavel Hass Quartet, Emerson String Quartet and the Ying Quartet, the quartet-in-residence at Eastman.
“It is a great pleasure for the string faculty to host them, since we enjoyed playing with them as students many years ago,” Dr. Farny said.
Bernhardsson received a B.M. in Music at Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Rostad received a B.M. and an M.M. from The Juilliard School.
