Photos: Live at The Sheldon features 'Rhythmic Strings'

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra string musicians took center stage December 6 for the second of five Live at The Sheldon concerts this season.

Performing a program of rhythmic music by Jessie Montgomery, Christian Quiñones, and Franz Schubert, the musicians played in front of a lively and engaged audience at The Sheldon, the SLSO's Grand Center neighbor and host for the series.

Violinist Angie Smart and cellist Bjorn Ranheim co-curated the program, which featured a first half of music from the 21st centry paired with a 19th-century masterpiece—all for string quintet.

Live at The Sheldon gives the audience an opportunity to see the talents of the SLSO musicians on a more individual level, with program created by the musicians to showcase the talents of every section of the orchestra. The February 7 performance will feature strings with piano (curated by Concertmaster David Halen and Principal Second Violinist Alison Harney), while the March 6 concert puts the spotlight on percussion (curated by Principal Timpanist Shannon Wood), and the April 7 concert features the horn section (curated by Principal Horn Roger Kaza and Fourth Horn Julie Thayer).

Photos by Virginia Harold

An SLSO string quintet of Angie Smart and Andrea Jarrett (violins), Shannon Farrell Williams (viola), Bjorn Ranheim (cello), and Aleck Belcher (double bass) performs at The Sheldon on December 6.

Franz Schubert's String Quintet in C major is typically performed with two cellos. In the SLSO's performance on December, Associate Principal Double Bass Aleck Belcher performed the second cello part.

Angie Smart, left, was one of the curators of the program.

The first half contained music by Jessie Montgomery and Christian Quiñones, played in front of a lively and engaged audience.

The quintet received a standing ovation.

Bjorn Ranheim, top, and Shannon Farrell Williams (foreground). Ranheim co-curated the program.

Smart and Ranheim addressed the audience at the top of the concert.

There are three more chances to see SLSO musicians in Live at The Sheldon performances: February 7, March 6, and April 7.

Andrea Jarrett performs music by Christian Quiñones.