Radius Ensemble to perform at MIT
10th Anniversary Concert in Memory of Composer Edward Cohen  

Saturday, February 18, 2012
8pm in Killian Hall
Admission is free
 

This concert will feature the Radius Ensemble in performances of Edward Cohen's Clarinet Quintet, the Capriccio for Solo Piano, and 
the Suite for Solo Flute. In addition it will feature a new work for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and percussion by MIT alumnus Andrew McPherson and Echo, for piano trio by Cohen’s widow, composer Marjorie Merryman.

The performers on this occasion will be Sarah Brady, flute;
 Eran Egozy and Rane Moore, clarinet;
 Charles Dimmick
 and Heidi Braun-Hill, violin; Noriko Herndon, viola; Miriam Bolkosky, cello; Sarah Bob, piano; Aaron Trant, percussion.

About Edward Cohen
Edward Cohen (1940-2002), a classically trained musician inspired by jazz and devoted to new music, was greatly respected and loved as a colleague and teacher at MIT. When he passed away after teaching for 25 years in MIT's music section, his colleagues decided to honor Cohen by setting up a memorial fund to finance a new series of concerts at MIT, each of which would showcase at least one of Cohen's compositions.

Cohen was inspired by jazz and improvisation, and loved new music. His compositions included solo, chamber and orchestral works as well as two operas. Boston Globe music critic Richard Buell wrote about his music at his sixtieth birthday concert: "Forgive the stereotype, but university professors aren't supposed to compose music like this. The piano quartet was a continuation of Shostakovich's music; the piano sonata, a big-scaled vigorous enterprise. What kind of 'voice' is this music? A surprisingly lyric, long-spanned one, striking, obviously 'modern.' And all of it built like a steel trap. Gripping music, beautiful performances, a wonderful concert." 

Radius Ensemble
Now in its thirteenth season, Radius has earned rave reviews and a dedicated following by reinvigorating classical music for a new generation. A chamber music ensemble of winds, strings, and piano, Radius performs music from the classical period to the modern era, from beloved masterpieces to undiscovered gems. Its musicians are outstanding professionals inspired by tradition, willing to take risks, and committed to connecting with a diverse group of listeners.