Shanghai String Quartet coming to Hudson

The Shanghai String Quartet will be performing at Hudson Hall in Hudson, N.Y. Saturday, April 6 at 7 p.m. The concert will be held in honor of Eugenia Zukerman, who will be stepping down as Artistic Director of the Clarion Concert series. The quartet will be playing selections by Joseph Haydn, Edvard Grieg and Zhou Long.

The Shanghai Quartet, composed of Weigang Li and Angelo Xiang Yu on violin, Honggang Li on viola and Nicholas Tzavaras on cello, are a world renowned chamber ensemble that has only recently begun touring again. In its illustrious 40 year history, the quartet has performed in Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Freer Gallery, as well as in festivals and concert halls across Europe and Asia. The group regularly performs in China and is the ensemble in residence for the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and guest professors at the Shanghai Conservatory and Central Conservatory in Beijing. In 2020, the quartet took residence in the Tainjin Julliard School in China as faculty. The ensemble has been featured in over thirty recordings over the years, from Beethoven to Zhou Long’s “Poems from Tang”. The group is currently recording the complete Bartók quartets.

The concert is being dedicated to Clarion Concerts’ Artistic Director Eugenia Zukerman. Zukerman, a renowned flutist in her own right, will be retiring after about a decade in the role. Her career as a flutist has been praised by many, and she, like the Shanghai Quartet, has been featured on a plethora of high quality and renowned recordings over the years. Previously she was CBS Morning’s arts correspondent, leading to many connections in music and television that have lead to many inspiring guest performers for Clarion of the years. Zukerman was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, and wrote a book entitled “Like Falling Through a Cloud.”

“I feel very privileged to have been able to have worked with such wonderful musicians,” Zukerman said in an interview. She also thanks the board of directors, and is grateful for many years of wonderful music and fulfilling concerts.

For tickets to see the Shanghai String Quartet this Saturday, visit www.clarionconcerts.org. For more on Eugenia Zukerman and her many works in music and writing, visit www.eugeniazukerman.com.

Latest News

Stephen S. Myers

LAKEVILLE — Stephen S. Myers, 82, of Lakeville, (formerly of New York City, Almond, New York, Kane’ohe, Hawaii, and Fair Oaks, California) passed away peacefully at his home on Nov. 30, 2024. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth “Betsy” (Phelan), his two sons Matthew and Shepherd, two nephews and three nieces.

Stephen was born in Elmhurst, Illinois, on Oct. 29, 1942, the son of the late Elwood Mosman and Donnie Marguerite Myers. Growing up in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Stephen struggled with dyslexia in multiple high schools, ultimately graduating from Avon Old Farms High School in Avon, Connecticut.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ella L. Clark

WEST CORNWALL — Ella L. Clark, 83, a social worker, writer, and lover of nature and the Post Office, died Nov. 7, 2024 at Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie, after an acute stroke. Her family was with her in her last week.

Ella was predeceased by her parents, Benjamin S. and Charlotte L. Clark, her brother, Benjamin Clark, and her sister Tib Clark. Ella is survived by her daughter, Cristina Mathews of Fort Bragg, California, and her husband Jason and son Milo, her son Alexander Mathews, of Newton, Massachusetts, and his wife Olivia and children Ariana, Damian, and Torey, her daughter Jessica Meyer, of Pacific Palisades, California, and her husband Tim and children Ione and Nikos; and her sister Charlotte de Bresson of Paris.

Keep ReadingShow less
David Graeme Townsend

SALISBURY — David Graeme Townsend was born July 23, 1930, in Mineola, New York, to Rachel Townsend (Maxtone-Graham) and Greenough Townsend. David and his older brother Antone grew up in New York City and Long Island. Some of his early life was spent in Scotland in his mother’s family home, Cultoquhey, which is near Perth in the Highlands. Here he enjoyed summers with all his Maxtone-Graham cousins. Many of these cousins would remain close with David for his entire life. One cousin, Charles Smythe, even came to America to live with David and his family during the war where Charles became like a brother to David and Antone. David went to St. George’s in Newport, Rhode Island for a while and then on to Lawrenceville in New Jersey. He finished high school at the Basil Patterson School in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Immediately after high school, David enrolled in the US Marine Corps and served two tours in the Korean War. He was always very proud of his military service. After his service David attended the Sorbonne University in Paris for two years and then the University of Madrid for one year. Even though David never finished his formal education, he always remained an avid student of history and language. In his travels his skill with foreign languages was sometimes a problem because he spoke with such a good accent that it was sometimes falsely assumed that he was fluent.

Keep ReadingShow less
Richard George Ralph

EAST CANAAN — Richard George Ralph, 84, a beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Dec. 4, 2024, at his home in East Canaan, surrounded by his family. Born on Sept. 23, 1940, in Cornwall, Connecticut, he was the son of the late Marie (Kennedy) Ralph Negri and George Yeaton Ralph Jr.

Richard was the proud owner and operator of Richard Ralph and Son Rubbish Removal for many years. Known for his strong work ethic and reliability, he built a trusted business that served the community. After his retirement, his son Richard took over the reins, continuing the family tradition. Richard’s friendly demeanor meant that there weren’t many in the area who didn’t know him, and all were met with warm greetings and hearty waves.

Keep ReadingShow less