CMA is proud to welcome Brooklyn Rider back to Des Moines! The Brooklyn Rider quartet features Johnny Gandelsman & Colin Jacobsen on violin, Nicholas Cords on viola, and Michael Nicolas on cello. For the past fifteen years, Brooklyn Rider has revolutionized string quartet music and explored works all throughout history. They commission inspiring new pieces, perform around the globe, and collaborate with influential musicians across genres.
Brooklyn Rider, based in New York City, started off strong with the release of their first album Passport in 2008, which NPR named as one of the best classical albums of the year. In 2011, American composer Philip Glass selected Brooklyn Rider to perform his collection of string quartets, including a world premier recording of Bent Suite. Brooklyn Rider teaches in addition to performing, and has had residencies at Denison University, Dartmouth College, Williams College, MacPhail Center for the Arts, Texas A&M University and University of North Carolina.
Right after COVID hit the U.S. in March of 2020, Brooklyn Rider released Healing Modes, a collection focused on the intersection of music and health. The recording featured Beethoven’s Opus 132 in a minor, integrated with five new works composed by Reena Esmail, Gabriela Lena Frank, Matana Roberts, as well as Pulitzer Prize winners, Caroline Shaw and Du Yun. These new compositions explored a variety of topics including the US-Mexico border conflict, the Syrian refugee crisis, the mental health epidemic, and physical well-being. The New York Times stated “(Healing Modes)…could not possibly be more relevant or necessary than it is currently. I don’t believe I’ve ever experienced the radical emotional range of Op. 132’s long, slow movement — with its liberating, dancing interjections — more intensely than when listening to the entirety of Healing Modes.” The recording had huge success and was nominated at the Grammys for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance.
“I don’t believe I’ve ever experienced the radical emotional range of Op. 132’s long, slow movement — with its liberating, dancing interjections — more intensely than when listening to the entirety of Healing Modes.” – The New York Times
CMA is excited to bring this important work to Des Moines, sponsored by local health organizations Above & Beyond Cancer, MercyOne Richard Deming Cancer Center, and UnityPoint Health Des Moines, John Stoddard Cancer Center. Prior to the concert, Brooklyn Rider will participate in a discussion with Dr. Andrew Nish, Dr. Richard Deming , and a panel of health, wellness, and music professionals to discuss how artists and treatment specialists use music to heal the mind and body. They will also be joined by other wellness experts and patients to discuss their experiences. The program will feature a sneak peek of Healing Modes by Brooklyn Rider before the full performance later that evening.
Please join us for the Healing Modes interactive dialogue from 1-3 on Saturday, February 5 to hear from local health experts and hear how music and health go hand in hand. The event is free to the public and you can join in-person at Hoyt Sherman Place or view online from our website. Later that evening, head back to Hoyt Sherman for the full performance of Healing Modes by the incomparable Brooklyn Rider at 7:30. Tickets are available for purchase – click here to get yours. Both events require masks and have the opportunity for distancing.
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Update
Thanks for those who were able to attend the interactive dialogue with Brooklyn Rider! If you were unable to join that day, take some time and tune in here.
