The Baltimore Sun's Tim Smith reviews the Takacs Quartet's recent performance at Shriver Hall, which included the World Premiere of a new string quartet by Timo Andres:

On Sunday, November 15, the Takács Quartet brings us the second of three newly-commissioned works in honor of the SHCS 50th anniversary: Strong Language by Timo Andres. Timo reflects on this string quartet as well as a new piano concerto written for Jonathan Biss.  

"The striking forward thrust at the opening 'Internal Conflicts' movement and the subsequent reflective haze, with its gentle tolling effect from the keyboard, make a strong impression."

"A glance at the first season of Shriver Hall Concert Series reveals a who's-who of 20th-century classical music luminaries…Fifty seasons later, the series held on the campus of John Hopkins University still impresses."

“‘Temple Visions’ is an exciting work for many reasons – firstly as it is the first commissioned work to be performed by The Montrose Trio. It’s thrilling for us to add innovative new works alongside the more traditional repertoire of masterworks by Beethoven and Brahms. ‘TempleVisions’ challenges each of us on a high technical level. Each movement has a distinctive character…"

The Montrose Trio's program on Sunday, October 25 brings the first of three works newly co-commissioned by Shriver Hall Concert Series: the Piano Trio No. 2, "Temple Visions," by James Lee III, a highly regarded young composer who is also Associate Professor of Composition and Theory at Morgan State University. Previously commissioned by the Baltimore Symphony - his Chupshah! Harriet's Drive to Canaan was heard there in 2011 and his Thurgood's Rhapsody is scheduled for this season - Lee has also written works for the Baltimore Choral Arts Society and the Hopkins Symphony Orchestra (Alas! Babylon's Final Sunset premiered in March 2014). However, Lee's music has also been performed by chamber and symphonic ensembles throughout America, including the Detroit, National, and Cincinnati symphonies and The Philadelphia Orchestra.

"Shriver Hall Concert Series has good reason to celebrate these days -- 50 years of  presenting the city with a sterling assortment of soloists and ensembles. The roster from those first five decades reads like a who's-who of classical stars. " 

SHCS is excited to announce the appointment of Catherine Cochran as our new Executive Director! Catherine worked previously at New York City's 92nd Street Y and brings her experience, enthusiasm, and innovation as she begins her leadership of the Series. We're thrilled to welcome her to Baltimore ahead of our 50th Anniversary Season. For more information about Catherine's appointment, read our Press Release below: