Artists

Beo String Quartet

represented by Great Lakes Performance Artist Associates

Jason Neukom, Violin

Aviva Hakanoglu, Violin

Sean Neukom, Viola

Ryan Ash, Cello

Program

String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13

Felix Mendelssohn (1809 – 1847)

I. Adagio – Allegro vivace

II. Adagio non lento

III. Intermezzo. Allegretto con moto – Allegro di molto

IV. Presto – Adagio non lento

About

Beo exists as a 21st century quartet by directing the future of the art through original music and projects; engaging listeners through entertainment and thoughtful demonstration; collaborating with living composers to showcase the music of our time; performing the masterpieces of the string quartet literature in a wide array of settings and venues; and participating in our modern global culture through a strong social media presence. Now in its sixth season, Beo has performed over 100 concert works in the US and Europe--including over 40 world premieres.

In addition to its many recordings, music videos, and covers, Beo regularly performs original works and projects – repertoire you cannot hear any other ensemble perform. One of its most unique original projects, ‘Projection1: Triple Quartet,’ was composed by Beo’s violist, Sean Neukom, and premiered at Virginia Tech University in 2017. The work is essentially written for three string quartets—one live and two digital—the live Beo quartet being flanked by two pre-recorded projections of Beo! In addition to a rich aural texture, the performance experience engages the visual and spatial senses of the listener. Other projects include genre-mixing albums and full length shows such as ‘TriggerLand,’ a set of rock-inspired, classically composed, rhythmically-charged songs combining animation and amplification with a strong narrative focus on social issues.

Music education outreach is essential to the quartet’s vision, and Beo has earned a reputation for its thoughtfully-crafted presentations – disguised as entertainment. Each show is designed to teach chamber music skills and a love for classical music to students ranging from complete beginners to pre-professionals. Through its educational tours of elementary, middle, and high schools, short-term residencies at colleges and universities, and annual residency at Dakota Chamber Music, Beo has shared these unique, engaging experiences with more than 3,000 students to date.

Beo is actively involved in the contemporary music scene and holds an annual residency with the Charlotte New Music Festival. In partnership with the summer festival, Beo hosts an annual Composition Competition. For this competition, a winning work is selected from a large pool of submissions, recorded, and programmed frequently through Beo’s following season. Recordings of the winning works can be found on Beo’s website alongside other contemporary works. Notable composers that Beo has worked with include Richard Danielpour, Marc Mellits, and Lawrence Dillon.

With several new projects always in the works, be sure to stay in touch with all things Beo by subscribing to the handle @beostringquartet on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and SoundCloud.

Beo joined the roster of the Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates in 2020.