European Tour with the Cypress Quartet
Overview | Cypress Bio | Bill McGlaughlin | Highlights
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The Beethoven Quartet Tour
The Cypress String Quartet performed the Complete String Quartets of Beethoven in Budapest, Vienna, and Prague.
October 25-November 5, 2015
Presented by the WFMT Radio Network
Hosted by Bill McGlaughlin of WFMT's Exploring Music
Ludwig van Beethoven's sixteen quartets are the pinnacle of classical music and among the most profound and influential works ever written. This incomparable music was performed live by the acclaimed Cypress String Quartet in historic venues in the great music capitals of Budapest, Vienna, and Prague. This once-in-a-lifetime tour was led by Bill McGlaughlin, one of classical music's most popular radio personalities, and host of WFMT's nationally-syndicated programs Exploring Music and St. Paul Sunday Morning.
The Cypress Quartet, one of the finest ensembles in the world, performed the complete quartets in six concerts exclusively for the group. The performances took place in historic venues associated with Beethoven and his times including the Eroicasaal in Vienna, where Beethoven led early performances of the "Eroica" Symphony and premiered other important works; and the Lobkowicz Palace in Prague, residence of one of Beethoven's most significant patrons. Along the way, we had special access to sites and historic documents not accessible to the general public, integral to the life of Beethoven and other great composers.
Deluxe accommodations in five-star hotels, fine dining in some of the best restaurants in all three cities, the company of like-minded travelers, and the opportunity to attend other performances in the three cities completed this unforgettable musical journey!.
The Cypress String Quartet
The Cypress String Quartet has been praised by Gramophone for its "artistry of uncommon insight and cohesion," and the New York Times described their recent recording of Beethoven's Middle Quartets as being performed with "rich tone, crisp ensemble work and expressive nuance." The Cypress Quartet was formed in San Francisco in 1996 and quikly became one of the finest ensembles in the U.S. During the last 15 years, the CSQ has gone without a single personnel change, putting them in the unique position of having spent more hours exploring Beethoven's music than any other current quartet. The Cypress maintain a busy national and international tour schedule and play on exceptional instruments including violins by Antonio Stradivari (1681) and Carlos Bergonzi (1733), a viola by Vittorio Bellarosa (1947) and a cello by Hieronymus Amati II (1701)..
Bill McGlaughlin
Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin is now in its 12th season playing in two hundred markets across the country as well as in Australia and New Zealand. Bill has also served as host of the popular public radio program St. Paul Sunday since its inception in 1980. In 1996 that program received the highest honor in broadcasting, the George Foster Peabody AWard. McGlaughlin has worked with PBS, the BBC and is also host of two other popular radio programs, Center Stage from Wolf Traip and Concerts from the Library of Congress..
Tour Highlights
- The complete string quartets of Beethoven performed privately in historic venues by the Cypress String Quartet
- Commentary on the music by Exploring Music's Bill McGlaughlin
- Special access to historic sites including the homes of Beethoven, Liszt, and Schubert
- Deluxe accommodations in five-star hotels and fine dining in all three cities
- Private boat ride on the Danube
- Optional tickets to major performances in all three cities
- Private motorcoach transportation forall activities on the itinerary
- Plenty of free time to pursue your own interests
