Close Encounters Season 13: From Omni to Octet

The beautiful Omni Quartet opens the program with Debussy’s only String Quartet, a rhythmically driven piece with his fabulous French Impressionist flair.

Mendelssohn’s String Octet may be the most brilliant work by the boy Felix, written when he was only 16 years old for the weekly (!) house concerts his parents hosted for their two incredibly gifted children. After a stormy opening and a whispering Scherzo in 2/4 time, a triumphant Finale quoting Händel’s ‘Messiah’ will have you skipping in your socks.

Performers (all members of The Cleveland Orchestra):

The Omni Quartet

Amy Lee, Alicia Koelz, violins

Joanna Patterson, viola

Tanya Ell, cello

and

Yun-Ting Lee, Isabel Trautwein, violins

Eliesha Nelson, viola

Paul Kushious, cello