Grammy winning Bassist Edgar Meyer and Grammy nominated Dover Quartet performing at Amelia Baptist Church

Amelia Island Music Festival
Press Release
www.aicmf.com
May 26, 2021

The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival is pleased to present classical bassist, Edgar Meyer and the Dover Quartet performing at Amelia Baptist Church with a live, socially distanced audience on Thursday, June 3rd at 3 pm and 7 pm. This concert is part of the Festival’s commitment to bring the world’s greatest musical artists in chamber music concerts of classical and alternative genres to Amelia Island.

Dover Quartet  and Edga Myer performing June 3.

Edgar Myer is the winner of numerous competitions and honors, including Grammy awards for best classical crossover album in 1999 for Appalachian Journey and 2002 for Perpetual Motion. In 2011 Meyer joined cellist Yo-Yo Ma, mandolinist Chris Thile, and fiddler Stuart Duncan for the Sony Masterworks recording “The Goat Rodeo Sessions” which was awarded the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Folk Album.

Meyer’s compositions have been premiered by the Emerson String Quartet, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Meyer is Artist in Residence at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music and is on faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music. He is an artist member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and a visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music.

The double bass, Meyer’s instrument, is the largest and lowest-pitched string instrument with an impressive presence. However, its sound frequently provides background support. The Festival’s General and Artistic Director Christopher Rex said, “Edgar Meyer is a brilliant musician who has shown that the double bass can match any instrument in expressiveness and virtuosity. It’s exciting to have him join the Dover String Quartet for what is sure to be a stellar performance.

”The Dover Quartet is one of the most in-demand ensembles in the world. With their distinctive sounds, they are considered one of the finest young American string quartets of their generation. The Dover Quartet’sThe Schumann Quartets album (Azica Records) is nominated for a 2021 GRAMMY Award for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance.“

In addition to matters of pure sound, the Dover’s articulation of notes and phrases lends distinction to its aural persona. The players often attack a phrase by leaning into it with the implication of a tiny portamento—a little slide—up to the first note. To this ear, it recalls the empathetic, almost folklike bloom that was a distinctive element of the great English mezzo-soprano Dame Janet Baker’s lieder singing,” said Barrymore Laurence Scherer, Wall Street Journal.

“The Festival has had a spectacular lineup of internationally recognized and award-winning musicians perform in our community this year. As our 20th Season nears the end, we are proud and appreciative of the support received from the community, donors, and volunteers who work so hard to produce these concerts, thank you!”, said Festival President Emma Mills Bledsoe.

The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, one of the nation’s most renowned classical music festivals, celebrates its 20th season with performers that include Kennedy Center Honoree violin virtuoso Midori, the New York Philharmonic String Quartet with pianist Drew Peterson, legendary Bluegrass group Balsam Range, charismatic pianist Valentina Lisitsa, the talented JB Scott’s Swingin’ Allstars featuring vocalist Lisa Kelly and others. Respecting the safety of both musicians and the audience, the Festival has arranged for both socially distanced live and virtual venues. Information about all concerts and tickets is available at www.AICMF.com or 904-261-1779. The Festival is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.# # #Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival1405 Park Avenue, Suite 101 – Fernandina Beach Florida 32034