The Balourdet Quartet’s name was inspired by the food of Antoine Balourdet, the chef at the Taos School of Music, for which violinists Angela Bae and Justin DeFilippis and cellist Russell Houston shared a passion in addition to their music. Violist Benjamin Zannoni later joined the group, and the quartet was borne based on the group’s love for the repertoire and chamber music. The quartet performs the last movement from Beethoven’s “Razumovsky” string quartet, Op. 59, No. 1.
About Taking Note:
Taking Note is a new digital series spotlighting rising instrumentalists who have received Career Grant Awards from the Avery Fisher Artist Program. Each year, the program awards grants of $25,000 to as many as five instrumentalists and/or chamber ensembles in support of professional music development.
The premiere season features pianist Clayton Stephenson, Sandbox Percussion, violinist Njioma Chinyere Grevious, the Balourdet Quartet and violinist Julian Rhee. The series features both performances and interviews with awardees sharing past and present inspirations, training and goals.