The Linda and the Albany Musicians’ Association (American Federation of Musicians Local 14) present a free, open-to-the-public performance from Spira.

Spira is an exciting new piano quartet formed in 2023 to premier a commissioned work through Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where several of the members are Faculty Fellows. The quartet, comprised of Jamecyn Morey (violin), Brittany Zellman (viola), David Bebe (cello), and Chrysi Nanou (piano), balances programs by exploring culturally relevant musical periods paired with newly-composed pieces. Active performers and teachers based in New York’s Capital Region, their work extends onto an international stage. Spira released its first recording on ReverbNation in 2023.

The quartet’s current program centers around the music of Fauré, Mahler, and Martinů; all composers heralding from the Gilded Age. This period of rapid growth in both industrialization and economic wealth saw unique developments in the arts and culture. Themes characteristic to the Gilded Age are particularly relevant in today’s landscape, such as innovation, cultural cross pollination, wealth inequality, immigration, and political strife, making these works feel particularly timeless and appropriate.

This performance is made possible with support from the Music Performance Trust Fund and the Jim Clark Community Performance Fund.