The Tryon Concert Association will open its 2016-2017 concert season on Thursday, Sept. 29, with the Fine Arts Quartet and pianist Orion Weiss at 8 p.m. at the Tryon Fine Arts Center.

This distinguished string ensemble, now in its 70th year, is considered one of the world’s finest quartets. In all of its years together the FAQ has had only 10 players in total. The two violinists, Ralph Evans and Efim Boico have been performing together for more than 32 years. Cellist Robert Cohen and violist Juan-Miguel Hernandez have joined the group more recently. Even before the FAQ was formed (1946) the original members had been playing together in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

The quartet members have worked with many young national and international ensembles. Their first teaching residency was at Northwestern University (1951-1954). In 1963 they became the Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where they remain as professors to the present time.

This group has a long history of performing on television and radio including ABC Radio’s Sunday Morning broadcasts, The Ed Sullivan Show and The Today Show. Since 1958 they have toured Europe annually. The United States Department of State sponsored the quartet’s tours to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand in the late ‘60s.

FAQ recordings are numerous and range from the classical and romantic periods to works of contemporary composers and commissioned works. Recognition has come their way from numerous awards: Grammy awards, “Recording of the Year” awarded by Musicweb International, Critics Choice Award by the American Record Guide, and more.

Pianist Orion Weiss is one of the most sought-after soloists of his generation. He has performed with major American orchestras including the Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic.

As well, Weiss is known for his enthusiasm for chamber music and during his young career Weiss’ list of awards is impressive including an Avery Fisher Career Grant, the Gina Bachauer Scholarship at the Juilliard School and the Mieczyslaw Munz Scholarship. In 1999 on very short notice Weiss was asked to replace Andre Watts for a performance of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

This opening TCA concert will be an exciting evening of music. Season-series tickets may be purchased by mail or online. Contact us at tryonconcerts.org or P.O. Box 32, Tryon, NC 28782.

– article submitted by Joella Utley