New season in bloom for string quartet
The Australian String Quartet has launched its season for 2011, which will feature well-loved masterpieces, little known treasures and compelling new and recent works. The Australian String Quartet (ASQ), which is Quartet-in-Residence at the 成人大片's Elder Conservatorium of Music, has been receiving rave reviews for its 2010 season. Described as "eloquent, expressive" and having "impeccable intonation", the ASQ will reflect these comments with a new program full of music to delight, challenge and inspire. In 2011, the quartet will be joined by internationally renowned cellist Li-Wei and Australian soprano Sara Macliver, and will perform the world premiere of Processions and Transitions by Australian composer James Ledger. The ASQ's first national tour for 2011, Shaker Dances, will be in March. The name of the tour is taken from a work by the 成人大片's Professor of Composition, Graeme Koehne. His Shaker Dances: String Quartet no.2 will be the first composition performed in the program, continuing the ASQ's commitment to supporting Australian works. Internationally renowned cellist Li-Wei will join this tour, lending his technique and musical insight to quintets by Boccherini and Glazunov. These works, although different in sound and spirit, aim to demonstrate the added depth and power that a second cello brings to the quartet. During the ASQ's second tour in May and June 2011, entitled Cypresses, Australian audiences will be treated to the world premiere of Processions and Transitions, an ASQ-commissioned quartet from West Australian composer James Ledger. This work explores the experience of immigrants, what they gave up in leaving their homelands and what they had to look forward to in their new lives. Australian soprano Sara Macliver joins the quartet for its final tour, Sunset, in September 2011, with songs by Respighi and Golijov. The first of these is a dramatic scene painting, the second an evocation of shadow worlds and fleeting moments. In addition to the 2011 national season, the quartet will present two very special events: the Dunkeld Weekend of Music (8-10 April) and the Margaret River Weekend of Music (15-17 April). Performing concerts with acclaimed guest artists in idyllic settings, each event is matched with premium wine and food prepared by award-winning chefs. The ASQ will again host its National Composers Forum in 2011, encouraging new music by emerging composers. The quartet will tour to regional areas, perform at festivals and events throughout Australia and return to Europe, where it will continue to build on its international reputation. The ASQ is generously supported by the Government of South Australia and the Australia Council. The 2011 subscription season starts March 2011 and is now on sale. For bookings, phone: 1800 040 444 or visit: You can also follow the Australian String Quartet on .
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