arts & entertainment

There’s nothing quite so elegant—and intimate—as the music of a string quartet. Some of the world’s most beautiful music has been written for two violins, a viola and a cello. But it’s the quality of the performers that can take the experience from nice to “next level.”

Get ready for a next level performance when exceptionally talented musicians from the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra present works by Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms during, Storm & Song. The 3:00 PM chamber concert on Sunday, July 12 will be performed at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach, 520 Royal Palm Boulevard, 32960. Violinists Joni Roos and Michael de Jesus will be joined by Yaniv Cohen on viola and David Calhoun on cello, for two string quartet works by giants of Western classical music. Beethoven’s String Quartet in F major, Op. 59, No. 1, known as the first “Razumovsky” quartet, is a monumental work composed in 1806. Commissioned by Count Andreas Razumovsky, the piece revolutionized chamber music by expanding the scale, emotional depth, and technical difficulty of the genre. It helped usher in the Romantic era by treating the string quartet as an epic, highly personal symphonic canvas– rather than light entertainment. Johannes Brahms’ String Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 51 No. 1 is also a deeply intense and intricately constructed chamber work. Completed in 1873 after nearly a decade of revisions, it perfectly balances Brahms’ legendary romantic expressiveness with rigorous, Beethoven-inspired classical form. Brahms, ever conscious of Beethoven’s legacy, famously composed and discarded over 20 quartets before finally publishing this cyclically unified masterpiece at the age of 40. The four-movement works chart the evolution of the string quartet, from Beethoven’s bold reimagining of the form to Brahms’ deeply personal Romantic voice. Storm & Song is free of charge, with a suggested donation of $25. For more information, call 855-252-7276 or visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org.

The program’s two string quartets are each a towering landmark of chamber music. While both composers display structural mastery and emotional depth, Beethoven looks outward, pioneering monumental, sweeping forms, whereas Brahms focuses inward, cultivating dense, intensely concentrated textures. Aaron T. Collins, Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Artistic Director and Conductor, knows the free summer concert will be well received by attendees. 

“We are delighted to present this free chamber concert for the community,” said Collins. “The audience will get to experience up-close the artistry of these four talented musicians as they perform the works of Beethoven and Brahms.”

Beethoven was the pivotal figure who bridged the late Classical period and ushered in the Romantic era. His music is defined by raw, sharp, and explosive dramatic tension. By contrast, Brahms was deeply entrenched in the Romantic period; a traditionalist who preserved classical forms but layered them with rich, warm, and highly expressive harmonies.

Concertgoers aged 18 and under or with a college ID are admitted free to every SCSO concert. For more information about the Space Coast Symphony’s 2026-27 Season, please visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call (855) 252-7276.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS — Career Highlights:

David Calhoun (CELLO) has had a far-ranging career that included solo performances live in-concert with Liza Minnelli at Carnegie Hall. On the international stage, Mr. Calhoun was featured as soloist with orchestra and chamber musician at the Tchaikovsky Festival in Russia and performed a private concert for Cardinals and clergy of the Vatican in Rome. David Calhoun has been an active performer in New York’s vibrant music scene which has included many television, movie, and radio performances. For 15 years, he was tenured with the Orion Piano quartet at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mr. Calhoun was appointed principal cellist of the Space Coast Symphony in 2025 by Maestro Aaron Collins, and is principal cellist of the Brevard Symphony, the Villages Philharmonic, and The Florida Philharmonic.

Joni Roos (VIOLIN) is the Strings Artist-in-Residence at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida –in charge of the string program at the Music Department. Her previous employment includes teaching positions at Seminole State College. As a soloist, Joni has made numerous appearances with the Chamber Orchestra of Florida, the Space Coast Pops, the Melbourne Community Orchestra, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra and the Bach Festival Orchestra. She currently performs with the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, and is the Principal 2nd of the Bach Festival Orchestra.

Yaniv Cohen (VIOLA) is a violist, educator, and luthier whose career spans performance, pedagogy, and fine string instrument restoration. He began performing with the University of Central Florida Symphony Orchestra at age 13 and earned degrees in Music and English from Rollins College and a Master of Music in Viola Performance from Florida International University. His principal teachers include Matitiahu Braun and Michael Klotz. As a performer, Yaniv has appeared with numerous orchestras throughout the United States and Europe and has shared the stage with artists including Andrea Bocelli, Sting, Josh Groban, Johnny Mathis, Electric Light Orchestra, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Trained by renowned luthiers and mentors, he brings extensive artistic and technical expertise to musicians seeking exceptional instruments, bows, and service.

Michael de Jesus (VIOLIN) is one of the Southeast’s most in-demand musicians. De Jesus received his Masters of Performance in viola performance from Florida State University. Michael was appointed the violist artist in residence in Midland, Texas, of the critically acclaimed Thouvenel String Quartet. De Jesus was principal violist of the Midland Symphony, Big Spring Symphony, Abelene Philharmonic, Ashlawn Summer Festival Opera Orchestra, and Opera festival di Roma orchestra. In Florida, Michael has performed with the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, Sarasota Opera Orchestra, Florida Lakes Orchestra, Florida Orchestra, Southwest Florida Symphony, Space Coast Pops, Villages Orchestra, and Florida West Coast Symphony. Michael has performed as a chamber musician and recitalist performing in the United Kingdom, Canada, Africa, Japan, and France.

ABOUT THE SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA — The SCSO is a lively and passionate Central Florida orchestra comprised fully of professional musicians and music educators from throughout the Sunshine State. Many of its musicians also perform with other prestigious orchestras in Florida and the United States. Each season, select students are invited to participate in the SCSO’s Mentorship program, giving them the unique opportunity to perform alongside their professional counterparts on designated concerts. The Orchestra was formed by Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins with a simple mission: to provide year-round professional concerts at genuinely affordable prices.

The SCSO is dedicated to supporting the work of living composers and shining a light on new music. Since 2009, the SCSO has presented dozens of World Premieres and Southeastern U.S. Premieres and actively promotes diversity by programming works by BIPOC composers. Aaron T. Collins is a past recipient of the Richard A. Stark Award for cultural leadership from the Cultural Council of Indian River County and has been recognized by LEAD Brevard as one of their “4 under 40” Young Professionals.

School-aged children 18 years and under are admitted free of charge, as are college students with a valid ID. More information about upcoming concerts, ticket sales, venues, and sponsorship opportunities is available at SpaceCoastSymphony.org or by calling (855) 252-7276.