Wister Quartet brings an afternoon of chamber music to Glencairn April 30

The Wister Quartet returns to Glencairn Museum’s Great Hall on Sunday afternoon, April 30, to entertain and lift up music lovers with a program of chamber music by Staneck, Finzi, Haydn and Brahms.

Doors open at 2:30 for this 3:00 performance and seating is limited. Advance tickets are on sale now through April 27 at Glencairn or call 215.502.2990; after April 27 tickets are available only at the door. $15 general admission, $10 Basic Members & students with ID, FREE for Gold & Patron Members. Glencairn Museum is at 1001 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn 19009.

Since its formation in 1987, Grammy-nominated Wister Quartet—Nancy Bean, first violin, Davyd Booth, second violin and piano; Pamela Fay, viola; and Lloyd Smith, cello—has earned high praise from critics and audiences alike for its superb musicianship. Memorable performances include those with guest artists Emanuel Ax, Alicia de Larrocha, Christoph Eschenbach, Wolfgang Sawallisch and Yo-Yo Ma.

The Philadelphia-based quartet named the group in 1987 for Frances Anne Wister, founder of the volunteer committee of the Philadelphia Orchestra, where three of the four played a full year-round schedule; the fourth maintained an active freelance career. Four decades later, they continue to find chamber music to be the ultimate, intimate musical experience.

Wister has performed on college campuses and regular music series throughout the Eastern United States and in concerts in China, South America and Europe. Since its earliest days, it has been featured on the Philadelphia Orchestra's Chamber Music Series. It has also performed at the Lenape Chamber Players Summer Festivals, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center chamber series and its own Chamber Series at the German Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

The concert program features these pieces:
FRANK JAMES STANECK (b. 1958), Spring Dance
GERALD FINZI (1901-1956), Romance
JOSEPH HAYDN (1732-1809), String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 76, No. 2 (“Quinten”)
Allegro
Andante, o più tosto Allegretto
Menuetto: Allegro, ma non troppo
Finale: Vivace assai
JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833-1897), String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 51, No. 2
Allegro non troppo
Andante moderato
Quasi Minuetto, moderato - Allegretto vivace
Finale: Allegro non assai

Image: Wister Quartet are, from left, Nancy Bean, violin; Lloyd Smith, cello; Pamela Fay, viola; and Davyd Booth, violin.