The Cypress String Quartet’s multimedia production, “Inspired by America,” makes its area debut at the Barns of Wolf Trap. The unique collaboration among the musicians, best-selling author Jacob Needleman and Emmy Award-winning film producer Michael Schwarz is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts for its artistic and educational treatment of the American spirit. Cellist Jennifer Kloetzel of the San Francisco-based ensemble explained the concept illustrated through their live performance of string quartets by American composers from Benjamin Franklin to Grammy nominee Jennifer Higdon.
| On stage |
| Cypress String Quartet |
| Where: The Barns of Wolf Trap |
| When: 8 p.m., Friday |
| Info: $35 at 800-WOLFTRAP (965-3872) or wolftrap.org |
“The germ of the idea came after 9/11 when we were talking about how we felt and what it means to be an American,” she said. “I know Dr. Needleman and at the time was reading his book ‘The American Soul.’ The original idea was to have him read from it as we played. When film director Michael Schwarz entered the picture, the concept exploded into a bigger space designed by a lighting expert with film and music on an operatic scale.”
The program has been received to great acclaim in numerous venues. It relates America’s diverse story through its music, its people and even its cultural clashes. American Indians, slavery, immigration and the spiritual journey of the country’s citizens are depicted in art, photographs and landscapes. The images are complemented throughout by string quartets from composers Barber, Dvorak, Griffes, Ives and others, along with pieces by jazz legend Charles Mingus.
The Cypress String Quartet came together in 1996 when the four members found each other through friends and colleagues. Violinists Cecily Ward and Tom Stone lived in California, and Kloetzel joined them from New York. Violist Ethan Filner soon took over the chair of an original member who returned to his native Portugal. All play on prized instruments and are admired for their spirited performances, ground-breaking commissions and distinct, powerful sound.
“It took a while from the beginning of the ‘Inspired by America’ concept to put it all together with a filmmaker and lighting designer,” Kloetzel said. “Now that this is our fourth season of bringing in an audience with this different approach, we’ve learned that they love the idea and want to hear more. We want the Wolf Trap audience to pause and reflect, to be excited by the art of this country and to enjoy an eye-opening experience that keeps moving.”
