North Dakota Museum of Art to present Beo String Quartet on Sunday, Nov. 17 – Grand Forks Herald
GRAND FORKS – The North Dakota Museum of Art will present the Beo String Quartet, the second performance in “Myra Foundation Presents: Concerts in the Galleries” series, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17.
The Pittsburgh-based quartet was founded by brothers Sean and Jason Neukom, who grew up in Devils Lake. They studied under their father, Rich Neukom, a legendary music teacher in the area, according to an event announcement.
The quartet, which also includes cellist Ryan Ash and violinist Anthony Giordano, has become known as a daring, genre-defying ensemble. Trained in the classical tradition, the musicians are also well-versed in contemporary music.
Sunday’s concert will include music by Bach, Haydn and Brahms, as well as Philip Glass and a new work by composer and performer Sean Neukom entitled “El Balcon,” based on a childhood memory. The piece is inspired by a fantastical story they heard, at a young age, from their mother, about a young girl who fell over a balcony railing, but while holding on with one hand, she felt a spirit push her up over the balcony.
“(Their mother), of course, was the girl in the story,” the museum announcement said.
Growing up in Devils Lake, Sean and Jason Neukom attended the Dakota Chamber Music Camp in Minot during the summers and, later, were students of Jon Rumney at Minot State University.
In the wake of their January 2023 debut at New York’s Morgan Library and Museum, the Beo String Quartet garnered praise from the New York Classical Review, which wrote that its performance was “outstanding. … The sheer sound of the quartet was invigorating and deeply satisfying. As was their artistry, which came across in both the programming and the playing … skill, passion and strength … sheer expressive force.”
With 65 world premieres to its credit, the quartet has performed in concert throughout the United States, South America and Europe, and has been compared to the best among 21st century international string quartets.
The Beo String Quartet will be featured performers at the Chamber Music America conference in February in Houston, according to the museum announcement.
Sunday’s concert is co-sponsored by the Northern Valley Youth Orchestras, through a grant from Arts Midwest. The NVYO will hold a private workshop with the Beo Quartet musicians after their performance Sunday, Nov. 17.
At 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, the quartet will present a free children’s concert at the Grand Forks Public Library. And, on Monday, Nov. 18, the quartet will visit Winship Elementary School in Grand Forks and Emerado (North Dakota) Public School as part of the museum’s “Monday Music in the Schools” program, funded by the Neel Fund, an entity of the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region.
Tickets for the Sunday’s concert are $30 for museum members, $35 for non-members and $10 for students and military. Children ages 12 and younger are admitted free of charge. Visit the museum website:
. Tickets may also be purchased at the door, beginning at 1 p.m., but advance purchase is strongly recommended.
The North Dakota Museum of Art address is 261 Centennial Dr.
For more information, call the museum at (701) 777-4195 or email
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