Sonoma Classical Music Society

Sonoma’s own Nigel Armstrong and the Peresson Quartet return to Sonoma on Friday, May 13, 2011, when they perform in concert at the Jacuzzi Family Winery, 24724 Arnold Drive/Highway 121, at 7:00 pm.  Comprised of Nigel Armstrong, violin, Luanne Homzy, violin, Min-Kyung Sung, viola, and Julian Schwarz, cello, the Peresson Quartet, which. takes its name from an American maker of string instruments, was formed in March 2010 by four young musicians from the Colburn School, made a sensational debut in Sonoma last year and has played to great acclaim throughout the western United States and Canada.  Immediately following the May 13th concert, the Quartet will be traveling to Japan to participate in the 7th Osaka International Chamber Music Competition, and then Nigel will travel to St. Petersburg, Russia, to compete in the Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition, the most prestigious violin competition in the world

Sponsored by the Sonoma Classical Music Society, the Quartet’s demanding program will consist of the Mendelssohn String Quartet No, 6 in F minor, op 80, the last major composition Mendelssohn completed; the Shostakovich String Quartet No. 9 in E flat major (Op. 117), composed in 1964 and dedicated to his third wife; and the Schubert String Quartet No. 15 in G major, D. 887, written in 1826 but not published until 1851, and Schubert’s final string quartet.

Before the concert, enjoy a Gala Reception in the Jacuzzi Family Winery Atrium  at 6:00 p.m., honoring the musicians and the Sonoma Classical Music Society’s seventh year of bringing great classical music to Sonoma.  Special “Cabaret Seating” will be available for $50 per ticket, which includes a free bottle of wine per table of four.  General admission tickets are $35 for adults, $22 for members of the Sonoma Classical Music Society, and $10 for students.  Tickets are available from the Society’s website, www.sonomaclassical.org,, will be available from Reader’s Books and Pharmaca approximately three weeks before the concert, and at the door.