IBLA Foundation Special Mention recipients Kevin and Bryan Matheson – The Classic Strings Duo
Ibla Grand Prize Special Mention winners Kevin and Bryan Matheson of the Classic Strings Duo are awakening audiences to the music of the violin-viola duo. They were received with critical acclaim at their Carnegie Weill Recital Hall debut as part of the Ibla Foundation winners’ tour. The duo has been recognized for its mesmerizing and spirited performances - two perfect virtuosos, playing as one. Kevin and Bryan are passionate about performing and promoting works featuring the violin-viola duo and enjoy working with composers to broaden the repertoire.
Kevin and Bryan have performed as guest soloists with the Irish Sinfonietta Orchestra in New York City and as frequent soloists with the Viva Vivaldi Chamber Orchestra and the RMA Chamber Orchestra. They have performed in the Ameropa chamber music festival in Prague and served as concertmaster and principal violist of the Festival Orchestra.
As founding members of the Saturn String Quartet and the Rainier Trio they have been heard in numerous concerts and on the premier recording of Matthew Barbre’s String Quartet No. 1. Kevin and Bryan are concertmaster and principal violist of the Viva Vivaldi Chamber Orchestra, which is recording a CD of Vivaldi concerti for Centaur Records.
For eight seasons Kevin and Bryan served as concertmaster and principal violist in the RMA Chamber Orchestra. As frequent soloists with the orchestra they performed numerous concerts in the southeastern United States and in Ireland, including performing in the prestigious West Cork Chamber Music Festival and on radio, twice for former Virginia Governor Mark Warner and on the orchestra’s first CD.