ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Edgar Geovani Venegas Flores, viola
Edgar Geovani Venegas Flores is a Mexican violist originally from Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato. He began his musical studies in 2014 and has been dedicated to the development of his artistic and orchestral career ever since. He has studied viola with renowned teachers such as Alexander Bruck, Astrid Jerez, Matthew Schubring, Roberto Campos, and Gwendolyn Matías Ryan, and has participated in masterclasses with great violists such as: Kathryn Steely, Raúl Munguía, Sandra Arango, Sheila Browne, Jaime Amador and Roberto Díaz.
From 2015 to 2023, he pursued his undergraduate studies in viola performance at the Escuela Superior de Música (INBAL), where he earned his degree. During this time, he performed regularly in prestigious venues such as the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Sala Nezahualcóyotl, and Auditory Blas Galindo, and participated in chamber music groups and symphonic orchestras, sharing the stage with international artists including Gustavo Dudamel, Yo-Yo Ma, Anna Göckel, Daniela Liebman, among others.
From 2020 to 2024, he was a member of the Orquesta Juvenil Universitaria Eduardo Mata (OJUEM) of UNAM, considered one of the most prominent youth orchestras in Mexico, where he also held the position of principal viola on several occasions.
Currently, Edgar is pursuing a master’s degree in performance at West Chester University in Pennsylvania, under the guidance of Adriana Linares, continuing to refine his technical and artistic vision with an international perspective.
Stefania Osorio Amórtegui, violin
Born in Colombia, South America, Stefania graduated in Violin Performance from the National University of Colombia and later earned a degree in Music Education from Rowan University, majoring in violin and minoring in viola under Dr. Timothy Schwarz. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Violin Performance at West Chester University under the guidance of Professor Carlos Rubio. Stefania has been the winner of the Rowan String Ensemble Competition and the Rowan University Orchestra Concerto Competition (2022–2023). She has performed with major Colombian orchestras such as Filarmónica Joven de Colombia and has received masterclasses from renowned violinists such as: Juliette Kang, Marc Rovetti, and Kurt Nikkanen, among others.
Kira Denlinger, violin
Kira Denlinger is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Violin Performance as a graduate assistant at the Wells School of Music studying with Ari Isaacman-Beck of the Dalí Quartet. She is a member of the West Chester University Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, as well as the Graduate String Quartet. Kira has performed in masterclasses for notable musicians including violinists Jassen Todorov, Timothy Schwarz, the American String Quartet, the Harlem String Quartet, and Listening In.
Born in Venezuela, Adan is currently pursuing his Master of Music degree at West Chester University as a student of Ovidiu Marinescu, where he recently joined the Graduate String Quartet. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin Conservatory as a student of Dmitry Kouzov. His chamber music teachers include Scott Cuellar, Francesca de Pasquale, Darrett Adkins, as well as members from the Verona and Dali string quartets.
Lydia Wrubel is a junior at West Chester University, where she studies flute with Dr. Reighley and pursues dual degrees in Instrumental Performance and Spanish Education. She performs in various university ensembles on piccolo, oboe, and clarinet, and joins this recital on flute.
DuoinCminorOp.5No.3forfluteandviola, FrançoisDevienne(1759-1803)
François Devienne was a French composer, flutist, and bassoonist active during the Classical period, often compared with W. A. Mozar for his elegant and balanced style. His duo in C minor Op. 5 No.3 for flute and viola showcases his refined sense of melody and clarity of form. The work combines lyrical expressiveness with virtuosic writing of both instruments, highlighting a conversational interplay that reflects the Classical ideal of balance and dialogue. The opening Allegro presents dramatic contrasts and expressive lyricism; and the Rondo closes the work with lively elegance and playful exchanges between the flute and viola.
DuoinGmajor,K.423,WolfangAmadeusMozart(1756-1791)
Wolfang Amadeus Mozart was one of the most influential and prolific composers of the Classical era, celebrated for his mastery of form, melody and emotional depth. Composed in 1783, his Duo in G major, K. 423 is one of the two duos for violin and viola written to assist his friend Michael Haydn in completing a commission. Despite its practical origin, the work stands as a brilliant example of Mozart’s chamber style, combining warmth, elegance, and a playful dialogue between the two instruments, each treated with equal virtuosity and charm. First movement Allegro sparkles energy and conversational interplay; the Adagio unfolds with gracefully lyricism and balance; and the last movement Rondo: Allegro concludes the work in a spirit of wit and joyful motion.
StringQuartetinDmajorOp.76No.5,FranzJosephHaydn(1732-1809)
Franz Joseph Haydn is often regarded as the “father of the string quartet”, having established the genre’s form and expressive potential. His String Quartet in D major, Op. 76 No. 5 belongs to his final set of quartets, composed around 1791, which represents the pinnacle of his mature style. The work combines radiant lyricism with structural mastery. Throughout, Haydn’s wit, balance and inventiveness reveal the sophistication and emotional depth that would influence Mozart and Beethoven alike. First, the Allegretto opens with graceful charm and rhythmic subtlety; the Largo cantabile e mesto offers a deeply expressive and introspective contrast, one of Haydn’s most profound slow movements, the Menuetto: Allegro adds rhythmic vitality and humor; and the Final: Presto brings the quartet to a brilliant and spirited close.
Cuartetovirreinal,MiguelBernalJiménez(1910-1956)
Miguel Bernal Jiménez was a key figure in the 20th-century Mexican music, known for integrating Renaissance and Baroque influences from colonial Mexico into modern harmonic language. Deeply rooted in the ideals of the Mexican nationalist movement, his music often evokes spiritual depth and a sense of historical identity. The Cuarteto virreinal reflects the synthesis, drawing inspiration from the sacred and secular sound form New Spain while framed in a refined, contemporary idiom. The opening Allegro unfolds with rhythmic, vitality and contrapuntal clarity, combining modal harmonies and imitative textures reminiscent of colonial church music. Its elegant structure and expressive lyricism capture Bernal Jiménez idiosyncratic voice-bridging between Mexico’s musical past and expressive possibilities of the modern string quartet.