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News Release

Last modified: Friday, January 21, 2011

IU Jacobs School of Music hosts two visiting quartets this semester

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 21, 2011

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- In addition to hundreds of concerts by its world-renowned faculty, students and guests, the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music will host performances by two distinguished quartets this semester.

The Pacifica Quartet will perform several quartets by Shostakovich this Sunday, Jan. 23, at 4 p.m. in Auer Hall.

Recognized for its virtuosity, exuberant performance style and often daring repertory choices, the group has achieved international stature as one of the finest chamber ensembles performing today. Recent career honors include appointment as quartet-in-residence at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, the position held for 43 years by the Guarneri String Quartet.

In 2009, the Pacifica was named Ensemble of the Year by Musical America and received the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance. The group features Simin Ganatra and Sibbi Bernhardsson, violin; Masumi Per Rostad, viola; and Brandon Vamos, cello.

"Last summer, I had the opportunity to hear the Pacifica Quartet in Canada and to attend a master class they conducted," said Atar Arad, Jacobs professor of viola. "It is an amazing ensemble, and I cannot wait to listen to them again."

The Orion Quartet, an ensemble eagerly anticipated whenever it visits the Jacobs School, will take the Auer Hall stage on Feb. 27 at 2 p.m., performing Schubert's Quartet in G Major, D.887 and Beethoven's Quartet in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 131.

Violinists Daniel Phillips and Todd Phillips (brothers who share the first violin chair equally), violist Steven Tenenbom and cellist Timothy Eddy constitute one of the most sought-after ensembles in the United States. Since its inception, the quartet has been praised consistently for the fresh perspective and individuality it brings to performances, offering diverse programs that juxtapose classic works of the standard quartet literature with masterworks by living composers.

Orion remains on the cutting edge of programming, with wide-ranging commissions from a variety of composers. The ensemble is well known for its interpretations of Beethoven's string quartets and has recorded the complete quartets for Koch International Classics.

"Every visit by a top-notch quartet is a significant addition to the quality of service offered by the Jacobs School to our students and the Bloomington community," said Arad. "I hope that, not too far in the future, the school will have a great quartet-in-residence living in Bloomington -- teaching, performing and interacting with students and faculty alike. Until then, each and every quartet event is essential to our musical life."

To learn more about the IU Jacobs School of Music, visit https://music.indiana.edu.

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