Rasa String Quartet at the Museum of Modern Renaissance

Last night I went to a concert titled “Portraits of an American Patchwork” by Rasa String Quartet at the Museum of Modern Renaissance here in Somerville, Massachusetts. This is the description of the program from Rasa String Quartet’s website:

In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, Rasa String Quartet presents a musical patchwork quilt, weaving together the cultural traditions that have shaped the nation’s identity. Spanning jazz, bluegrass, Latin pop, Indigenous traditions, global folk music, and classical favorites, the program captures the vibrant creative spirit of American music. From the soulful lyricism of William Grant Still and the Latin groove of Bad Bunny to the infectious swing of Billy Strayhorn and the driving energy of Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, An American Patchwork brings America’s multitude of rich soundscapes all together on one stage.

The Rasa String Quartet is:

Emma Powell, viola
Maura Shawn Scanlin, violin
Kiyoshi Hayashi, violin
Mina Kim, cello

The group opened the set with the jazz standard “Take the ‘A’ Train” by Billy Strayhorn.

After playing a piece I didn’t catch the name of (or recognize), the quartet played an arrangement of “Ashokan Farewell” by Jay Ungar.

Later the group played “Pisachi” by Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate.

The quartet continued with a Korean lullaby called “Spring in My Hometown” by Hong Nan-Pa; many recordings are available on music streaming services and on YouTube.

The group followed with the three movements of “Lyric Quartette” by the American composer William Grant Still.

And finally, they finished with an arrangement of “La Mudanza” by Bad Bunny.

Many members of the Boston-area music community were in attendance, and the audience responded with a standing ovation at the end of the concert.

This was my first visit to the Museum of Modern Renaissance, a building with a beautiful and quirky interior.

Museum of Modern Renaissance

Every concert I attend expands my education and knowledge of music. A year ago, if I had heard “Take the ‘A’ Train,” I couldn’t have named the tune. I became familiar with it last winter while I was teaching myself guitar.

Only two days ago I learned about William Grant Still from my brother, a musician who is a member of the Hillsboro Symphony in Oregon, which is playing several pieces by Still in their next concert.