The new breed of classical musician is exemplified by Colin and Eric Jacobsen, the Brooklyn-based brothers who co-founded the string quartet Brooklyn Rider.  Colin plays violin and Eric the cello.  They are joined by violinist Johnny Gandelsman and Nick Cords on the viola.

Their repertoire spans wide, as you will hear on my interview with Colin and Eric that will air August 18 to 20 on Sirius XM Pops.  Comfortable with Beethoven on the one hand, Jimi Hendrix on the other, and a dizzying array in between, they have also formed a chamber orchestra called The Knights to bring, “the intimacy and camaraderie of chamber music to the orchestral stage.”

Our friends in the Chicago area in particular should listen in: The Knights will be performing at the Ravinia Festival on September 7 with Yo Yo Ma, September 8 with Itzhak Perlman, and September 9 with Dawn Upshaw.  Minnesotans should keep an ear out for their Stillwater Music Festival, a concert series from August 15 to 23 featuring collaborations between Brooklyn Rider and guest artists, such as Béla Fleck.  It’s good to be known by the company you keep!