Violist will play instrument made in 1568

Middletown — Violist Daniel Avshalomov of the American String Quartet will present a master class titled “The Central Clef” at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at Orange County Community College in Middletown. The class will be held in Orange Hall, Room 23. Avshalomov will explain and play his instrument, an Andrea Amati from 1568. He will discuss his life as a professional musician and play a selection by Fritz Kreisler. The American String Quartet will play in concert in Orange Hall Theatre at 3 p.m. the next day, Thursday, Feb. 13. Questions and discussion from the audience will be welcome. The program is free and open to the public. Avshalomov holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Juilliard. He has been on the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music since 1984 and of the Aspen School since 1976. Before joining the American String Quartet, he served as principal violist for the Aspen, Tanglewood, and Spoleto festival orchestras, as well as for the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Opera Orchestra of New York, American Composers Orchestra, and as solo violist with the Bolshoi Ballet. He was a founding member of the Orpheus Chamber Ensemble. He is originally from Portland, Oregon. For more information call the Department of Cultural Affairs at 341-4891.