L'Ermitage Concert Series @ Sunset Luxe | LOS ANGELES CELLO QUARTET

«Hot and intense playing...» – Los Angeles Times

Audiences and critics alike praise Los Angeles Cello Quartet (LACQ) for its unique energy and commitment to performing.

A Musical Journey Across Time and Cultures

Embark on a captivating journey through time and cultures, where ancient traditions meet modern musical brilliance. The program opens with Five Medieval Armenian Chants – Prayers, a mesmerizing collection of melodies composed by unknown musicians in the pre-Renaissance era, long before the creation of modern musical notation. Performed by a quartet of cellos, these sacred chants evoke the profound spirituality of early church services, with the rich tones of the cello mirroring the resonance of the human voice.

The journey continues into the Romantic era, blending the soulful celebration of Klezmer—traditional Jewish wedding and celebratory music—with the artistry of the great Bohemian cellist, David Popper. His original cello suite, alongside his legendary 40 Studies of the Highest Difficulty—revered by cellists as the "bible" of technical excellence—forms a pivotal part of this program.

For the grand finale, we present a medley of timeless classics from The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel, offering a delightful feast for the senses and bringing this unforgettable evening to a joyful close.

PROGRAM:

1. Five Medieval Armenian Chants (KOMITAS 1869-1935) Click to Listen One of the Chants
2. Klezmer Suite

• Medley: Od Y’shama & Mazel Tov
• Simon Tov
• Hava Nagila
• Rabbi Elimelech Medley (Click to Listen)

3. David Popper (1843 – 1913): Suite for 4 celli, Op.16

• Andante Grazioso
• GAVOTTE (Click to Listen)
• MARCIA

4. 60s Pop Medley

• Beatles
• Simon & Garfunkel

Led by the extraordinary world-renowned Russian cellist Ruslan Biryukov, this quartet has been described as both “hot and intense…” and “by turns serene and impassioned.” In either case, these highly individual musicians Bryant Gozali from Indonesia, Pola Benke from Poland and Nathan Le are experienced soloists whose vibrancy is enriched by their diverse cultural backgrounds and their infectious positive energy. This dynamic and charismatic group has gained a reputation as one of the most prominent chamber groups in the U.S.

Los Angeles Cello Quartet is a project of Positive Motions Foundation made its debut at the 2010 Los Angeles Philharmonic Fundraiser. LACQ is proud to represent Los Angeles, a city celebrating diverse culture. The quartet’s mission is to unite and inspire audiences from all walks of life. Passionate about bringing artists of different disciplines to its projects, LACQ speaks to a range of audiences by creating multi-genre performances and interactive experiences.

Artists:

• is known for his superb artistry, passion, and individuality. He has gone on to win numerous awards worldwide. He represents a new generation of creative professional musicians whose artistic level is recognized by awards, but also by a worldwide audience. Within the last decade of his teaching career, his students have won over 200 prizes in various competitions.

• is currently a member of the Los Angeles Cello Quartet and the Jakarta Trio. He graduated from the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. He has performed with many orchestras and in solo concerts throughout the world. Bryant is officially recognized as a studious demonstrably devoted and highly praised cellist. .

• , an esteemed cellist hailing from Poland, commenced her musical career with the cello at the age of eight. Her prowess in the realm of modern classical music has won her an invitation to perform at many prestigious festivals across Europe and the United States. She has a rich portfolio of performances as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestra member.
• has studied with Ronald Leonard at the Colburn Music Academy and then with Ruslan Biryukov. His artistry has been nationally and internationally acclaimed. He has garnered prizes in competitions in Zagreb, Croatia, the Tchaikovsky International Competition for Young Musicians in Moscow, and the Stulberg International String Competition.

ABOUT THE SERIES:

Positive Motions Concert Series @ Ruslan Conservatory is a project of the Positive Motions Foundation (501©3 non-profit). It presents solo and chamber music recitals monthly on the first Saturday of the month. Designed as an opportunity for the young aspiring musicians to show case their talents it offers an excellent opportunity for the audiences to enjoy fine music in the closest proximity to the performers in a truly intimate settings with an excellent drink/food reception and “get to know artists” afterwards. All the proceeds and donations from the ticket sales are distributed to the performers. Ruslan Biryukov is the artistic director of the series. If you desire to perform at our concert series please submit your requests: [email protected] Please include bio, picture, suggested program and possibly video unedited recording(s) of your performances.

Host or Publisher L'Ermitage Foundation