Stanford University

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NEWS RELEASE

10/13/99

Diane Manuel, News Service (650) 725-1945; e-mail: dmanuel@leland.stanford.edu

St. Lawrence Quartet to perform Oct. 15

The St. Lawrence String Quartet, Stanford's ensemble in residence, will offer a mixed program of classical and contemporary quartets at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, in Dinkelspiel Auditorium.

The quartet, consisting of first violinist Geoff Nuttall, second violinist Barry Shiffman, violist Lesley Robertson and cellist Marina Hoover, will present Mendelssohn's String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 13; Janácek's Quartet No. 1 for Strings, "Kreutzer"; and R. Murray Schafer's String Quartet No. 3.

The concert compares and contrasts the evolution of musical innovation from the 1800s to the present day, as well as social and theatrical influences on composition. In selecting the Mendelssohn piece to open the concert, the quartet will reprise the first work it performed together in 1989. Janácek's "Kreutzer" exemplifies the influence of Russian literature on the composer's work, based as it is on Tolstoy's Kreutzer Sonata. The concert culminates with the work of contemporary Canadian composer R. Murray Schafer's quartet, which incorporates aspects of theatrical presentation.

In May the quartet released its first CD on the EMI Classics label, featuring Schumann's String Quartet, Op. 41, No. 1 and No. 3.

"The St. Lawrence String Quartet gives Robert Schumann's Quartet No. 3 in A Major the tenderest opening phrases imaginable, then holds its breath and does it again," the Toronto Globe and Mail reviewer wrote. "Anyone wondering if [this] long-anticipated first CD has been worth the wait will find most doubts assuaged within a few minutes' listening."

As ensemble in residence at the Music Department, the quartet draws on extensive performing and teaching experience to expose students to classical and contemporary repertoire. In addition to commissioning and performing new works by such composers as Patrick Cardy, Osvaldo Goligov and Chris Paul Harman, the quartet also will work with department composers and the computer music program.

Tickets are $12 general admission, $6 students, available at the Stanford Ticket Office, 725-2787, or at the door.

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