Michael Bates Acrobat & The Curiosity String Qt at Rizzoli Bookstore

Join us for this special event featuring two radically different takes on the dissident composer Shostakovich. The concert is part of the Music Aperitivo concert series, in the intimate atmosphere of the Rizzoli Bookstore. Charge includes complimentary wine glass. Space is limited. Use the Eventbrite ticket to purchase a ticket. Doors open at 4:45 PM, concert starts at 5 PM.

Acrobat, the quintet led by bassist/composer Michael Bates, features five fearless voices exploring one of music's most mysterious personalities, Dmitri Shostakovich. Featuring the Curiosity String Quartet, who will perform Shostakovich's emotionally charged String Quartet No. 3....

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Join us for this special event featuring two radically different takes on the dissident composer Shostakovich. The concert is part of the Music Aperitivo concert series, in the intimate atmosphere of the Rizzoli Bookstore. Charge includes complimentary wine glass. Space is limited. Use the Eventbrite ticket to purchase a ticket. Doors open at 4:45 PM, concert starts at 5 PM.

Acrobat, the quintet led by bassist/composer Michael Bates, features five fearless voices exploring one of music's most mysterious personalities, Dmitri Shostakovich. Featuring the Curiosity String Quartet, who will perform Shostakovich's emotionally charged String Quartet No. 3.

Doors at 4:45 pm. Tickets include a complimentary glass of wine.

Guests over the age of five must wear masks and show proof of vaccination (either a vaccine card or an Excelsior Pass).

ABOUT THE MUSIC

With literal themes by Shostakovich or themes composed in his spirit, Acrobat is full of music that is playful yet dark and swinging. And while Shostakovich is clearly being channeled, the voices of these five fantastic improvisers will be on full display: beautiful and vicious, elegant and dissonant, and humor laced with serene sarcasm.

The Curiosity String Quartet will perform Shostakovich's emotionally charged String Quartet No. 3. Originally presented as an antiwar quartet, the movements were named: ”Calm unawareness of the future cataclysm,” “Rumblings of unrest and anticipation,” "The forces of war are unleashed,” “Homage to the dead,” and “The eternal question: why and to what purpose?”

THE LINEUP

The Curiosity Quartet: Gabryel Smith (violin), Rachel Hauser (violin), Emily Bookwalter (viola), and Ken Hashimoto (cello).

Michael Bates’s Acrobat: Marty Ehrlich (clarinet), Mazz Swift (violin), Sara Schoenbeck (bassoon), Michael Bates (bass), and Michael Sarin (drums), plus The Curiosity Quartet.

A NOTE FROM MICHAEL BATES

Throughout the horrific assault on their national identity, the people of Ukraine have shown us countless examples of courage. And many of us have had to reassess what the word “courage” actually means. I know I have. What these incredible people have shown the world goes beyond anything I could ever put into words. And never in my lifetime did I ever expect to see the events of the past few weeks.

In the former Soviet Union, now Russia, Dmitri Shostakovich lived through similar times. He was a dissident artist who wrote powerful music… and feared for his life while doing it. His compositions are filled with hidden messages that mocked a regime that willfully crushed people. He fought back and his music remains vital and powerful. And incredibly courageous. That’s at least how I see it.

Acrobat is performing at Rizzoli Bookstore. A wonderful space and excellent series. A string quartet is joining us to explore the music of this great composer. They will be performing the entire String Quartet No. 3 and I’ve arranged several pieces that unites both groups. It’s a dream come true…and I believe some of my best writing. I hope you can join us.

—Michael Bates, March 2022

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