What a way to spend a cold, icy Sunday afternoon. On February 23, the Music Room of the SPCO Center,vibrated with the outstanding performances of the five finalists in this year’s competition.

The Fabulous Appoggiatura Quartet garnered top honors with their performance of the first movement of Haydn’s “Sunrise” Quartet , Op. 76 and the Finale of Dvorak’s Quartet in G, Op. 106. They were awarded Whitacre medals, $1,000 in cash, and a performance in Martizelli Foyer at the Ordway Center preceding an SPCO concert on Saturday, March 15.

Pendulum String Quartet took second place and $600, playing the first movement of Haydn’s String Quartet in D, Op. 76 No. 5 and the beautiful Romance, from String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 51, No. 1 by Brahms.

Cavigliera String Quartet introduced many in the audience to the music of Quincy Porter (1897-1966), playing the third movement of his Quartet No. 3, followed by the lively Finale of Brahms String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 51, No. 2. They were awarded the Third Prize of $400.

Trio Tesoro won top honors and $100 in Level B, playing a Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piano in G Minor by Khachaturian, substituting the violin part with an oboe. They also won the $250 prize for outstanding wind group in the Finals.

Watch All Performances 

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LEVEL A  |  First Prize

The Fabulous Appoggiatura Quartet

Magdiell Antequerra (violin), Michael Chu (violin), Julia Vicic (viola); Thom Ingram (cello), coached by Ray Shows

Thank You

Baby Blue Arts

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Baby Blue Arts, which videotaped the Finals recital, is a group of Minnesota volunteers dedicated to providing a visual showcase for Minnesota's highly talented musicians and performers. Click on their name above to view their website, and also the half-hour video they made of the Finals of the 2014 competition.