On November 2, the New Orford String Quartet returns to Calgary to dazzle audiences once more. This time, they bring to the stage a concert featuring a percussive sound of string instruments.
Entitled Pizzicato!, this concert explores the diverse ways in which pizzicato, a technique where the strings are plucked instead of bowed, is used to shape the expressive landscapes of string quartet music. This seemingly simple technique showcases the expressive possibilities and adding a unique sonic dimension to the string quartet repertoire. The New Orford String Quartet has curated a program that exemplifies this transformation.
The program will include a vibrant array of compositions, starting with the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw's "Blueprint". This piece stands as a testament to the versatile nature of pizzicato, creating intricate rhythms that envelop the listener. Canadian composer Ana Sokolovic's "Commedia delle'arte" pays homage to the playful spirit of Italian theatre, with pizzicato strings bringing its lively characters to life. And Beethoven's String Quartet No. 10 is another highlight. Nicknamed as “Harp”, this piece incorporates pizzicato passages to enhance the ethereal and dreamlike atmosphere of the piece.
The concert will also present students from Mount Royal University’s Advanced Performance Program join the quartet in Shostakovich's 8th string quartet – the most popular of all his quartets.
Pizzicato! with the New Orford String Quartet will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 2, 2023 at the Bella Concert Hall in the Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts on Mount Royal University campus. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tickets.mru.ca.
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Hailed for their "ravishingly beautiful tone" as well as their "extraordinary technical skills and musicianship" the members of the New Orford String Quartet are all principal players in the Montréal and Toronto Symphony Orchestras. In 2009, these like-minded musicians came together with a plan to revolutionize the concept of string quartet playing in Canada, bringing together four stars of the classical music field for a limited touring schedule on a project-by-project basis. The New Orford String Quartet is also dedicated to promoting Canadian works, both new commissions and neglected repertoire from the previous century.
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