Elias String Quartet

Eastman School of Music’s Eastman-Ranlet Series is bringing the Elias String Quartet to Rochester this weekend.

The quartet takes its name from Mendelssohn’s oratorio, “Elijah;” Elias is the German form. On the program are Henry Purcell’s “Fantasia in E Minor” and “Fantasia in D Minor,” Benjamin Britten’s “String Quartet No. 2 in C Major” and Schumann’s “String Quartet in A Minor.”

The Elias String Quartet is known for vibrant performances around the world and have performed alongside renowned musicians in some of the world’s finest music halls. Since the group’s formation in 1998 at the Royal Northern College of Music in London, they have grown to become internationally acclaimed as one of the leading ensembles of their generation.

“Few quartets at any stage of their evolution have this much personality,” notes the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The group is composed of Sarah Bitlloch, French/Catalan violinist; Marie Bitlloch, French/Catalan cellist; Donald Grant, Scottish violinist; and Simone van der Giessen, Dutch violist.

The group has performed with Leon Fleisher, Michael Collins and Christian Zacaharis. Passionate about new music, they have debuted pieces by Sally Beamish, Colin Matthews, Matthew Hindson and Timo Andres. They have recorded six studio albums over the last four years.

The Elias String Quartet takes the stage at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 24 in Kilbourn Hall. esm.rochester.edu

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