Ciompi Concert No. 1 feat. Nnenna Freelon, Jazz Vocalist

In the Ciompi Quartet's tradition of opening each season with a work by Haydn, father of the string quartet, the Ciompi begin their 50th Anniversary Season with the Quartet in G Major, op. 77, no. 1, Haydn's penultimate work for string quartet. Op. 77 is rich in textures and conversational in style, written at the height of Haydn's fame and virtuosity. Ten years later, Haydn's former pupil Beethoven was equally renowned; his Quartet in E-flat Major, op. 74, a work known for its elegant use of pizzicato, reminiscent of the sound of the harp, completes the first half of the program. For the finale, the Ciompi are joined by six-time GRAMMY-nominated jazz singer and longtime Durham resident Nnenna Freelon, in a performance of composer Mark Kuss' Slave Songs and Spirituals.