The Cochrane Guitar Quartet is back at Found Bookstore, 206 1st St. W., for its third annual benefit concert supporting Big Hill Haven this Saturday.
Led by Martin Russell, the quartet features his exceptionally talented students—Hannah Isinghood, Ryan Kehoe, and Griffin Stotschek—who will perform a mix of solos and duets before coming together for their debut quartet performance of movements from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite.
A taste of what you'll hear is attached below—an excerpt from the Nutcracker Suite overture.
Russell says the group has been preparing tirelessly for months to perfect its 20-minute performance of Nutcracker. The arrangement was generously donated by Andrew York of the acclaimed Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.
"We were in touch with one of the most wonderful guitar players in America, Andrew York, and asked if he would sell us his arrangement of the Nutcracker Suite. He sent it to us and said, ‘Please have this.’”
"It's sweet but deliciously difficult. The LA Guitar Quartet is one of the most eminent guitar quartets on the planet, so when you get its arrangements, it's not a simple version. It is concert repertoire for each of the guitars. The fact that I have three students at that standard—I am so proud because I have three fellow musicians with me, not just students, but fellow musicians."
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Russell is known for orchestrating benefit concerts in support of many valued community causes. He continues to feel blessed for discovering Cochrane and believes it’s important to give back to our "magical community."
Big Hill Haven assists women and children experiencing domestic abuse.
Doors open Saturday at 7 p.m., with the performance starting at 7:30 p.m. and lasting about an hour and a half, including intermission.
A limited number of tickets are still available here.