Morrison Artists Series features genre-breaking chamber music in 2008-09

Recorder collective Quartet New Generation opens season Oct. 19 with contemporary works

SAN FRANCISCO, September 18, 2008 — Quartet New Generation, an acclaimed all-female collective playing the recorder, kick off the Morrison Artists Series’ 2008-09 season at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, in McKenna Theatre at San Francisco State University. Admission is free.

Quartet New Generation is dedicated to contemporary music and collaborations with emerging composers from around the world, proving to international audiences the recorder’s ability to be a modern classical instrument. Performing on recorders of varying sizes and shapes during a performance, the quartet firmly believes that early music can be seen as new when programmed with a fresh eye and juxtaposed with contemporary works. This innovative style of programming, combined with the quartet’s mesmerizing stage presence, has attracted broad and enthusiastic audiences throughout Europe and South and North America.

On Oct. 19, Quartet New Generation will perform Dowland: Pavan; Moravec: Mortal Flesh, de Rore: Alla dolce ombra; Blecharz: Airlines; Schultheiß: Ping Pong; Bach: Fuga a Tre Soggetti (from The Art of the Fugue, BWV. 1080); Ovsepyan: Arak; Bruckner: Vexilla regis; Meijering: Sitting Ducks.

The other five concerts scheduled for the Morrison Artists Series 2008-09 season are:
• 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008: American Chamber Players;
• 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008: Time For Three;
• 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009: Alexander String Quartet, SF State’s Quartet in Residence;
• 3 p.m., Sunday, March 22, 2009: Rosetti String Quartet; and
• 3 p.m., Sunday, April 19, 2009: Cuarteto Latinoamericano featuring Manuel Barrueco, guitar.

The Morrison Artists Series is presented at San Francisco State University’s College of Creative Arts, School of Music and Dance. Bringing Bay Area audiences the world’s finest chamber music since 1952, the Morrison Artists Series was created as part of the Morrison Chamber Music Center. Led by Artistic Director Saul Gropman, the Morrison Artists Series presents six free Sunday afternoon performances each year by acclaimed chamber music ensembles in the 700-seat McKenna Theatre on the SF State campus. Visit http://musicdance.sfsu.edu or call 415/338-1431.

Location and Parking
McKenna Theatre is located in the Creative Arts building on the SF State campus, 1600 Holloway Ave. (at 19th Ave.), San Francisco. Public parking is available in Lot 20, accessed from Lake Merced Boulevard between Winston Drive and Font Boulevard. On weekends and evenings only, public parking is available in Lots 1 and 2, on Holloway Ave. (at 19th Ave.). Parking is $1 per hour with a $5 daily maximum. Nearby street parking is readily available on weekends. For details, visit www.sfsu.edu/~parking.

Calendar Editors, Please Note:
Morrison Artists Series: Quartet New Generation
Sunday, Oct. 19, 3 p.m.
McKenna Theatre, Creative Arts building, SF State campus, 1600 Holloway at 19th Ave., SF
Admission: Free
Information: 415/338-1431; http://musicdance.sfsu.edu , www.quartetnewgeneration.com

Program: Dowland: Pavan; Moravec: Mortal Flesh, de Rore: Alla dolce ombra; Blecharz: Airlines; Schultheiß: Ping Pong; Bach: Fuga a Tre Soggetti (from The Art of the Fugue, BWV. 1080); Ovsepyan: Arak; Bruckner: Vexilla regis; Meijering: Sitting Ducks.

The recorder collective Quartet New Generation (QNG) is dedicated to contemporary music and collaborations with emerging composers from around the world, proving to international audiences the recorder’s ability to be a modern classical instrument. Performing on recorders of varying sizes and shapes during the course of an average performance, the quartet firmly believes that early music can be seen as new when programmed with a fresh eye and juxtaposed with contemporary works. This innovative style of programming, combined with QNG’s mesmerizing stage presence, has attracted broad and enthusiastic audiences throughout Europe and South and North America.

Bringing Bay Area audiences the world’s finest chamber music since 1952, the Morrison Artists Series at San Francisco State University is “indispensable,” says the San Francisco Chronicle. The Morrison Artists Series concert program, under the command of Artistic Director Saul Gropman, presents six free Sunday afternoon performances each year by acclaimed ensembles.

PHOTOS/INTERVIEWS: For photos or to schedule interviews, contact Matt Itelson at 415/338-1442 or matti@sfsu.edu.