The riches that Krannert Center offers in September are those of small ensembles. But rich they are; proving once again that less is more.
The riches arrive early with classical guitarist Sharon Isbin, who is not only one of the greats of this age, but an extraordinary teacher of the art. Recently, a documentary about her legacy as both performer and teacher was filmed, and it will be showing at the Art Theater Co-Op on September 9th, brought to us by the ELLNORA: Guitar Festival. Continuing her participation in the fest, she has scheduled a conversation on the art of classical guitar at 3 p.m. on September 11th and a concert on September 12th at 11 a.m. with Colin Davin,one of her prize students. If that doesn’t give you your quota of this great artist, she returns for a concert on November 14th with mezzo-soprano, Isabel Leonard. 
In her half dozen or so cds, she has explored new fields for the classical guitar and promoted American guitar music. If you are a fan of classical music, this extraordinary artist should be a part of your experience.
Also home grown, but prolific in the traditional string quartet repertoire is our own faculty quartet-in-residence, the Jupiter String Quartet from New England by way of the Cleveland Institute of Music, where they formed their ensemble in 2001. Since May of 2012, they have been the University of Illinois’ School of Music faculty quartet-in-residence with the title of Assistant Professors of Music. Their annual schedule of Krannert concerts and teaching assignments are supplemented by a concert schedule that brings distinction to them as musical artists and the University of Illinois.
The Jupiter will initiate their Great Hall concert series on September 27 with performances of Beethoven’s Quartet in E Minor, Op. 59, number 2. The program also features world class cellist Denise Djokic who will augment the ensemble for Franz Schubert’s String Quintet C Major, Op. 163, D. 196. Lovers of string ensemble music who have not feasted on an evening of the Jupiter Quartet have been cheated, and the good news just goes on: they will also perform at Krannert’s Great Hall on March 15th and April 21st in 2016.
Word is that more recordings are coming soon to supplement the four available cds that are currently available from them, but there is something truly special about the live experience in the superb acoustics the Great Hall that has made so many appreciate the artistry of this splendid faculty ensemble.
For further information about Krannert concerts go to: www.krannertcenter.com, or call the Krannert ticket office at 217-333-6280.
For tickets to the Sharon Isbin documentary at the Art Theater, please visit their website.
Artist images via Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, excepting full-color image of Jupiter Quartet, courtesy of Arts Management Group.