The Turtle Island Quartet performed with special guest Nellie McKay at the Fletcher Opera Theater as a part of N.C. State’s Center Stage program.
The Quartet and McKay performed in its concert, “A Flower is a Lovesome Thing,” on Tuesday night. The concert combined music by Billie Holiday, Billy Strayhorn and the music scene of 1920’s Berlin. This is the first time the two artists have toured together.
The concert was the second event of N.C. State’s 2013-2014 Performing Arts Series.
Members of the N.C. State Scholars Program attended the event as part of a Scholars Forum event.
“It wasn’t what we expected, but it was really interesting,” said Cassidy Slabaugh, a freshman in engineering.
Before the concert, violinist David Balakrishnan and cellist Mark Summer held a talk session to answer questions.
The Turtle Island Quartet was started in 1985 by Balakrishnan. The Quartet mixed the classical elements of chamber music with contemporary American styles. It has enjoyed both national and global success and has received two Grammy awards. The Quartet featured Balakrishnan and Mateusz Smoczynki on violin, Benjamin von Gutzeit on viola, and Summer on cello.
Balakrishnan said that the Quartet avoids crossovers of classical and modern music and prefers to emphasize its strengths in each area.
“We’re not going from something we can do to something we can’t do,” Balakrishnan said.
McKay debuted with her album Get Away From Me in 2004, and since then has received recognition as a singer-songwriter, comedienne and actress. She has starred in The Threepenny Opera on Broadway and P.S. I Love You in film.
McKay is also well-known for her involvement in feminism, civil rights and animal rights.
The combination of the Quartet’s and McKay’s music was initially suggested by the Quartet’s agent. Balakrishnan and Summer had never heard McKay’s music before, but they were open to the idea.
“It’s incumbent on you to keep reinventing who you are,” Balakrishnan said. “You have to learn how to open up to left-field.”
Upcoming performances for N.C. State’s Center Stage program include the Martha Redbone Roots Project on Nov. 2 and Cameron Carpenter from Nov. 22-23.