Some critics describe them as a “hip, full immersion quartet” while others note their "absolute purity of intonation...and that supernatural 'one-ness' of interpretive intent that animates the best quartets."  There is no doubt that the Beo String Quartet, who will be performing at the North Dakota Museum of Art on Sunday, November 17, offer some surprising takes on old and new music.

The second event in this season’s “Myra Presents: Concerts in the Galleries” series, the Beo concert will include music by Bach, Haydn and Brahms, as well as Philip Glass and a new work by composer/performer Sean Neukom entitled “El Balcon” based on a childhood memory:

“When Jason [Sean’s brother and co-performer] and I were young boys, our mother told us a fantastical story that, by her accounts, was true. Set in Mexico, a young girl heard a noise in the alleyway. She looked over her balcony to investigate, and she fell over the railing. As she was holding on with one hand, body dangling, she felt a spirit push her up over the balcony. She, of course, was the girl in the story. El Balcón ("the balcony") is a musical depiction of this tale...”

The memory is from Sean and Jason Neukom’s childhood in Devils Lake, where they first studied with their father Rich Neukom, a legendary music teacher in the area. During the summers, they attended Dakota Chamber Music Camp in Minot, and later were students of Jon Rumney at Minot State. They’ve come a long way since then. Now based in Pittsburgh, PA., the Beo Quartet also includes cellist Ryan Ash and violinist Anthony Giordano, and these days their concert performances are in professional concert halls throughout the country. 

In January, 2023 when Beo made their New York début at the distinguished Morgan Library and Museum. The New York Classical Review, called them "outstanding . . . the sheer sound of the quartet was invigorating and deeply satisfying. As was their artistry, which came across in both the programming and the playing . . . skill, passion, and strength . . . sheer expressive force."  They will be featured performers at this year’s Chamber Music America conference.

The November 17 concert is co-sponsored by the Northern Valley Youth Orchestras (through a grant from Arts MidWest) who will have a private workshop with the musicians in an outreach session after the Beo’s Sunday afternoon museum performance. On Saturday at 3pm, the day before the museum concert, the quartet will offer a free children’s concert at the Grand Forks Public Library, and on Monday they will visit local classrooms as part of the Museum’s “Monday Music in the Schools” program funded by the Neel Fund of the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region.

Tickets ($10-$35) for the Sunday concert are available online at ndmoa.com or may be reserved by calling 701-777-4195.  Tickets may also be purchased at the door when the museum opens at 1pm, but advance purchase is strongly recommended.