Abigail Karr
Noted for “balancing passion with precision” and “intrepid” leadership, violinist Abigail Karr appears in a variety of period instrument ensembles, including the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston and Tempesta di Mare of Philadelphia. As a specialist in 19th century performance practice, she has recorded Mendelssohn’s complete works for violin and piano with celebrated keyboardist Yi-heng Yang; the album is the first period-instrument recording of this repertoire, and has been praised for “set[ting] a standard for performers, instruments, and recording technique.” An active chamber musician, noted for the “focused direction” she brings to performances, Karr is the founder and director of Gretchen’s Muse, a chamber ensemble dedicated to bringing the music of the 18th century to life through exciting, historically informed performances; it has been praised for its “near-telepathic synchronicity” and the “palpable collective chemistry between such individually accomplished bow-wielders.” She was also a founding member of the Rosetta String Trio, which, in addition to its commitment to historical performance, commissioned and premiered three new works for string trio. Karr holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, and a degree in historical performance from The Juilliard School. In addition to maintaining a private studio of piano and violin students, she is a faculty member at the Lucy Moses School, and participates in “Concerts in Motion,” an organization which brings live in-home concerts to New York City’s most vulnerable residents.