The Counterpoint Club

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In this ENCORE Interview for Opus 2 Brandon and Justin speak with violinist Annie Fullard. This conversation is the unabridged version of that heard in the fourth episode: How to Train Your String Quartet. This episode diverges from our standard TCC format, featuring a series of conversations about chamber music pedagogy, the methods used to teach chamber music. In addition to the interview with Fullard, the episode also features a conversation with violist James Dunham, former member of the Cleveland Quartet and Sequoia Quartet. It also includes a discussion amongst all four members of the Skyros Quartet about their favorite coaching memories (as both students and coaches).

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In this ENCORE Interview for Opus 2 Sarah and Brandon speak with violinist Rachell Ellen Wong. This conversation is the unabridged version of that heard in the third episode: “Performing From The HIP.” In this episode, Sarah guides us through a history of HIP, which is an acronym for “Historically Informed Performance”. In the technique portion, Brandon explores some of the ins and outs of how Skyros approaches repertoire written in a different era, using a score of a Corelli Trio Sonata as an example. The episode features an exclusive interview with 2020 Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, violinist Rachell Ellen Wong.

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In this ENCORE Interview for Opus 2 Sarah and Justin speak with violist Molly Gebrian, assistant professor of viola at the University of Arizona. This conversation is the unabridged version of that heard in the second episode: No Time to Practice. In this interview we talk about new approaches to practicing that go against convention, and move our ideas forward into the future based on scientific evidence.

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In this first Opus 2 ENCORE interview episode, Sarah Pizzichemi and Brandon Vance are joined by the internationally-acclaimed Gothard Sisters.

The Gothard Sisters are originally featured in Opus 2 Episode 1, Got Folk?! In Episode 1, we explore the ways that folk music has influenced chamber music, both in composition and in performance. In the history lesson, Brandon discusses ethnomusicology and the ways that composers have incorporated folk melodies in music meant for the concert stage. In the technique segment, Sarah explores methods for researching these influences and how to inform an audience to their usage and existence.

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Unlike other genres of Western classical music like orchestras or solo performing, women have always had an important role in the development of chamber music. Sarah describes the history of women in chamber music and steps toward a more equitable future. Willie guides us through the steps we take in Skyros Quartet to include diversity in every program and resources to help others do the same. Sarah has a conversation with composer Kaley Lane Eaton about the challenges and opportunities for women in composition.

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Chamber music had its roots as a pastime for amateurs relaxing together in their homes and palaces, so how did it become a career path for professionals? The culture of chamber music has been through a seismic shift since its early days, largely because of how the tradition has been passed from one generation to the next. We look at the renaissance of this transfer of knowledge in the past few generations by talking with some of the performer pedagogues who are fundamental to its evolution. We also discuss how this shapes the future of learning chamber music. Now more than ever, there are resources available to young musicians who dream of pursuing chamber music as a career, and amateurs who want to deepen their chamber music experience.

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Sarah guides us through what HIP is all about, and why Skyros Quartet likes to use HIP to influence our own early music playing. Brandon leads us on an analysis of a Corelli Trio Sonata with some practical applications of style from the time period. We interview Rachell Ellen Wong, a violinist on the forefront of the baroque and early music movement. Rachell recently became the first ever baroque artist to receive the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant.

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Our second episode of The Counterpoint Club Opus 2 is all about maximizing efficiency in practice sessions. Willie tells the surprisingly colorful story of the metronome in the history segment. All four members of Skyros share practice techniques to help you get the most out of your practice time. Practice guru and violist Molly Gebrian joins us in our interview, offering her advice and thoughts on the time we spend alone with our instruments.

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The Skyros Quartet begins the journey into a new Opus of The Counterpoint Club by exploring the ways that folk music has influenced chamber music, both in composition and in performance. In the history lesson, Brandon discusses ethnomusicology and the ways that composers have incorporated folk melodies in music meant for the concert stage. In the technique segment, Sarah explores methods for researching these influences and how to inform an audience to their usage and existence. With training in both classical and Celtic music, our special guests Greta, Willow, and Solana offer fantastic insight on our theme from their expertise as the internationally-acclaimed Gothard Sisters.

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