Cecelia Pierotti, violinist & Gretchen Egen, cellist

Caspita String Variations

Caspita String Variations is a dynamic violin and cello duo that was formed in 1991 for the purpose of performing beautiful chamber music. Caspita String Variations can be more than a duet. When the need arises we can expand to larger ensembles by adding a flute, a viola, a harp, a second violin, etc. to the base duo to make the ensemble into a trio or quartet. Caspita String Variations is the perfect ensemble to play at special occasions of all kinds, including indoor and outdoor weddings, receptions, anniversary parties, birthday parties, Christmas parties, office parties, and many more.

Violinist Cecelia Pierotti performs in the Vallejo Symphony, Napa Symphony, Monterey Symphony, and the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra. She has been Concertmistress with North Bay Opera and has played in the Tahoe Summer Music Festival. Besides teaching a city-sponsored Suzuki program in Vallejo, which she started in 1976, Cecelia teaches violin extensively in her home studio.

Gretchen Egen plays cello in the Women's Philharmonic in San Francisco, the Sacramento Philharmonic, and the California Symphony. She has been a soloist with the Kensington Symphony, the Diablo Valley Philharmonic, and the Philharmonia Orchestra of Tucson. From 1989-1998 Gretchen was the principal cellist of the Santa Cruz County Symphony and currently plays with the Del Sol String Quartet and Trio d'Amore, a trio for flute, violin and cello. She can also be seen playing cello in the movie, "Redwood Curtain," now available on video. Gretchen has taught cello at Diablo Valley College, and now teaches at her studio in Martinez.

Caspita String Variations prides itself on playing an expansive repetoire for duet, trio and quartet, including a variety of original arrangements by our cellist, Gretchen Egen. In addition to arranging music from movies and theatre productions, Gretchen has redesigned such favorites as Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer," "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles, and Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire." We encourage our clients, provided that we have been given enough time, to utilize Gretchen's arranging skills and choose music that would make their special occasion more personal.

"We were so glad to have hired you - you were outstanding!!! Thanks for the diligence in learning Air on the G String and Whiter Shade of Pale." S.R.
"You were great! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed your work. I am especially greatful for your professionalism. Special songs we wanted played were arranged without question and played impeccably. Cecelia was a pleasure to work with over the phone and was extremely helpful in planning our wedding day, so the music and the day were perfect. I would highly recommend you in the future." L.S.
"We were very pleased with your presentation. My daughter also appreciated your effort (phone calls- playing and singing ideas-) to find the type of music she was thinking of... Wonderful day for the Shenk Family" M.S.
"Gretchen, Cecelia and Wendy were absolutely wonderful and responsible for the warmest, liveliest and most memorable wedding feast imaginable! Thank you all so much." C.H.
"Caspita Strings were wonderful! They were very accomodating to our last-minute changes, and the music was beautiful. It definately made the wedding ceremony more special, and many guests commented that they enjoyed listening to them. Thank you!" W.K.

The name "Caspita" is of Italian origin meaning "Wow!"

For more information contact Gretchen Egen at (925) 228-6083

Fax (925) 228-6611

email: gegen@ix.netcom.com

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