Pops Performance Puts Black History In Perfect Harmony

The violins and violas crooned the familiar melody of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” while the deep full-length strokes of the cello kept the pace. The mellow and sharp sounds contrasted with each other in a sort of dance. As each musician played with precision through their final exchange, applause and cheers arose from the audience. 

That was the scene and the sound last Saturday night, as the Haven String Quartet brought its pops celebration of Black History Month to Kehler Liddell Gallery in Westville. Playing for a packed house, the quartet flowed through music by Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, George Walker, Nina Simone, Adolphus Hailstork and others before the end of the night. Many in the audience were so moved that the quartet stayed and played on for a two-song encore.

“This show is a jewel of inspiration for me,” said Yaira Matyakubova, artistic director at Music Haven and principal violin in the Haven String Quartet. “The artists that were presented today were the artists that inspired me throughout my career. When you think of American Music, it’s the music of Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Duke Ellington. That’s what American Music is, and that’s what people try to imitate everywhere else in the world.”

https://www.newhavenarts.org/arts-paper/articles/pops-performance-puts-black-history-in-perfect-harmony