Music at Monica's presents... the Pyxis Quartet

Music at Monica’s Presents

The Pyxis Piano Quartet

Meredith Amado, violin   •   Amy Leonard, viola

Jie Jin, cello   •   Hiroko Yamazaki, piano

Piano Quartet in c minor, opus 13

Richard Strauss (1864-1949)

Piano Quartet in a minor, opus 67

Joaquín Turina (1882-1949)

Piano Quartet No. 2 in B flat, opus 41

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

I. Allegretto

II. Poco allegro più tosto moderato

IV. Allegro

The Pyxis Piano Quartet was founded in 2009 to perform chamber music concerts which include works from the sonata, duo, and trio repertoire as well as traditional and contemporary masterpieces for piano quartet. Compelling, engaging, and informative, Pyxis’ performances have become amongst the most sought-after in the Delaware area arts scene. As Artists-in-Residence, Pyxis performs regularly to sold-out audiences at the Delaware Art Museum. Their 2010-2011 season also included a sold-out concert at the DuPont Hotel Gold Ballroom as part of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra Champagne Chamber Series. Additional appearances include performances at Villanova University (PA), St. Andrew’s School (DE), and a benefit concert with the Harmony for Peace Foundation. They have been heard along the East Coast in concerts from Virginia to Pennsylvania and their 2011-2012 season will include return concert series engagements in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

The musicians of Pyxis are avid collaborators and committed educators. Their collaborations include faculty from New York University, Franklin and Marshall University, West Chester University, Pennsylvania Academy of Music, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Pyxis has performed educational concerts for school children in southern Delaware under the auspices of Coastal Concerts, Inc. and they also offer master classes. As private instructors they have a significant impact on their musical community, reaching over 80 students on a weekly basis.

The group takes its name from the Pyxis constellation, also known as the Mariner’s Compass whose symbol is the compass rose. The points of the compass rose represent the new artistic directions the group will travel together while recognizing the different backgrounds and experiences of its musicians.