Lafayette violinist to perform in Fowler Hall

Corigliano Quartet to present several classical selections

By Emily Baldauf
Staff Writer

Michael Lim has performed with his string quartet in some of the nation's leading concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, but he is still thrilled to be performing in Purdue's 400-seat Fowler Hall.

"I'm originally from West Lafayette, and I'm extremely excited about returning to perform in my hometown," Lim said.

The Corigliano Quartet will play at 3 p.m. on Sunday in Fowler Hall. Their performance is part of the Discovery Series that was designed by Purdue Convocations to bring rising classical stars to campus.

"We feature up-and-coming classical artists that we believe are going to make an important mark on the classical world, and this is certainly the case for the Corigliano Quartet," said Todd Wetzel, director of Purdue Convocations.

Each member of the quartet became interested in music as children, but they did not start playing together as a quartet until they were students at Indiana University.

At a composition workshop at Indiana University in 1996, Lim was asked if he had an ensemble that could perform John Corigliano's Quartet. However, at that time Lim was not part of a quartet.

He quickly got together with some friends, and together they formed their ensemble. Composed of violinists Lim and Lina Bahm, violist Melia Watras and cellist Jeffrey Ziegler, the quartet worked hard to perfect the Corigliano piece in time for the performance at the workshop.

"Mr. Corigliano really loved what we had done with the piece and encouraged us to stick together as a group and try to make a career out of string quartet playing," Lim said.

The quartet has been together ever since their first rushed performance in 1996, and they have dedicated themselves to presenting the works of living American composers.

"A lot of people think new music can be difficult to listen to, but we think it’s important to play music that reflects our time — in addition to great standards," Lim said.

The quartet spent time serving on the faculty of Indiana University's School of Music as visiting lecturers. However, now they are in residence at the Julliard School in New York City serving as assistants to the famed Julliard String Quartet.

The group has performed in some of the country's most famous concert halls including Weill Recital Hall, the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.

"It (playing at Carnegie) is like Yankee Stadium for baseball players," Lim said. "There's a real sense of history at Carnegie Hall and it is quite awe-inspiring to walk out on that stage."

For their concert at Purdue, the Quartet will play the Corigliano Quartet that started it all, a Hadyn quartet and a Dvorak quintet with guest violist Atar Arad from Indiana University's faculty.

"I fully expect the audience will be pleased to meet the ensemble's warm and open personality through both the music and their spoken interaction with the audience," Wetzel said. "It's a great opportunity for individuals to 'taste test' a classical recital, especially a string quartet, if they've never been to a concert before."

Admission is $9 and tickets can be purchased at the Purdue box offices or charge by phone at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-SHOW.

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