Shepherd School’s Dunham performs on Grammy-nominated CD

Shepherd School’s Dunham performs on Grammy-nominated CD

BY JESSICA STARK
Rice News Staff

James Dunham, Rice professor of viola and chamber music, is a featured artist on the Grammy-nominated Ying Quartet double CD “Tchaikovsky: Three String Quartets; Souvenir de Florence.” 

DAVID LONG

The CD, which includes Dunham’s performance of “Souvenir de Florence” with the quartet and Paul Katz, former Shepherd School of Music faculty cellist, earned the nomination for best chamber music performance.

“It is a tremendous honor to have this kind of recognition,” Dunham said, “especially when you consider all the wonderful artists and the number of great recordings out there. We take nothing for granted.”

Dunham won a Grammy in 1996 as a member of the Cleveland Quartet, but his busy schedule didn’t allow him to attend the awards presentation.

This is not the first time Dunham and Katz have worked with the Ying Quartet. While the Cleveland Quartet was in residence at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, they mentored the Ying Quartet. When the Cleveland Quartet ended, the Ying Quartet returned to Rochester as the young quartet in residence.  

“We are very proud of the Yings,” Dunham said. “They have made many important contributions as musicians and teachers.”

The Grammy Awards will air Feb. 10 on CBS at 7 p.m.