Galvin Cello Quartet

Sihao He, Sydney Lee, Luis Fernanco Venturelli, and Haddon Kay

Saturday, March 2nd at 3:00 PM
at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave, Berkeley

Coalescence
David Popper – Concert Polonaise, Op. 14
Antonio Vivaldi – Summer, from The Four Seasons
Richard Wagner – Feierliches Stück
Gioachino Rossini – Une Larme
Gabriela Lena Frank – Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout
George Gershwin – Three Preludes
Piazzolla – La Muerte del Angel

“The superb Galvin Cello Quartet is an innovative ensemble that seems poised to bring a
new generation of listeners into a world of sumptuous tonal beauty, timbral contrast
and astonishing virtuosity …”

Clive Greensmith, concert cellist and member of the Tokyo String Quartet

Comprised of members from China, Brazil, South Korea, and the United States, Galvin Cello Quartet burst onto the scene after capturing the silver medal at the 2021 Fischoff Competition, followed shortly by winning the 2022 Victor Elmaleh Competition and joining the Concert Artists Guild roster. Cellists Sihao He, Sydney Lee, Haddon Kay, and Luiz Fernando Venturelli met as students at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music in the studio of acclaimed pedagogue Hans Jørgen Jensen. Named after the Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall at Bienen, the Galvin Cello Quartet began during the height of the pandemic. Its story is a testament to the power of teamwork and exceeds all expectations of traditional chamber music. 

Some of the greatest joys as a musician are the friendship and camaraderie strengthened through collaborative music-making. As part of a tight-knit cello studio at Bienen, the four friends wanted to channel their collective passion for music instilled in them by Jensen. But with pandemic restrictions in place, the school running virtually, and Venturelli back home in Brazil, performing as a string quartet was not possible. Despite these challenges, the four cellists, eager to explore the colors and timbres of the cello together, decided to enter the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. With the deadline quickly approaching, Venturelli’s return to the States came sooner than anticipated, and all quarantine guidelines and safety measures were taken.

For more information, go to www.galvincelloquartet.com