Koerner Quartet Sets 2015-16 Season

Koerner Quartet announces its 2015/16 Season, a concert series of enchanting works that transcends periods and genres, featuring beloved and pioneering composers from the Romantic and Classical eras, as well as lesser known, yet visionary masterminds from the 20th century. The quartet, described as "A West Coast gift to the world of chamber music" (The Vancouver Sun), offers local audiences the opportunity to experience exquisite masterworks in one of the city's most intimate concert settings.

"In our first public season, we shared diverse, iconic works from Beethoven's classic Op. 18, No. 4, to the less commonly performed, expressionist Langsamer Satz by Anton Webern, and celebrated new music such as Vermillion by innovative Canadian composer Jocelyn Morlock," says Koerner Quartet cellist and Vancouver Academy of Music (VAM) Executive Director Joseph Elworthy. "In the season ahead, we build upon this tradition by offering fresh interpretations of masterpieces such as Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8 and Debussy's Sacred & Profane Dances, as well hidden gems by influential contemporary composers who push the boundaries of conventional chamber music. We're delighted to perform much of the season's extraordinary repertoire alongside an inspirational list of US and Canadian guest artists."

Koerner Quartet's 2015/16 Season brings four captivating concerts to the Vancouver Academy of Music (VAM)'s Koerner Recital Hall:

Familiar Meets Undiscovered, November 6, 2015 at 7:30pm
Featuring revered piano powerhouse Dr. Corey Hamm, a decorated performer, recording artist and UBC professor. Hamm is well known as an expert and advocate of contemporary masterpieces such as trailblazing female Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz's stirring 1952 Piano Quintet, which he performs alongside Koerner Quartet. Bookending this noteworthy concert are two esteemed works by composers of contrasting musical eras and artistic perspectives - Schubert's Quartettsatz and Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8.

Koerner Quartet & Friends, December 13, 2015 at 2pm
Alongside a group of exceptional local guest musicians, the quartet delights audiences in an afternoon of music for strings with flute, harp, and clarinet in various formations: Debussy's Sacred & Profane Dances, Mendelssohn's String Quartet Op. 80, F Minor, Marjan Mozetich's Angels in Flight and Ravel's Introduction & Allegro. Joining the quartet is illustrious harpist Joy Yeh, Co-Head of the Harp Department at VAM and doctoral student at Indiana University; revered flutist Christie Reside, Principal Flute of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO); and celebrated clarinetist Jeanette Jonquil, Principal Clarinet with the VSO.

Heart Strings, February 14, 2016 at 2pm
Offering a program straight from the heart, Koerner Quartet performs sentimental, adored works - one a cherished audience favourite and the other a breathtaking first for the quartet. Opening with Debussy's textural and poetic String Quartet in G minor, Koerner Quartet shares an intimate moment with fans, having dedicated their annual residency placement in Hong Kong this past summer to an enthusiastic recording of the landmark composition. The ensemble closes the afternoon's romantic session with Beethoven's lush and contemplative String Quartet Op. 74, also known as the 'Harp' quartet.

Koerner Quartet Meets Rolston String Quartet, June 5, 2016 at 7:30pm
Koerner Quartet joins forces with the Rolston String Quartet, ensemble-in-residence at Houston's Rice University. The young and vibrant group, with a blended sound well beyond their years, assist Koerner Quartet in closing the season with an electrifying presentation of Mendelssohn's inventive and delicately balanced String Octet. Rounding out the evening is an emotionally gripping rendition of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg's Quartet No. 1, as well as a surprise performance from Rolston's repertoire for the August 2016 Banff International String Quartet Competition.

Single tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at koernerquartet.com.
Adults: $18
Students/Seniors: $15

Koerner Quartet 2015/16 season subscriptions are also available:
Adults: $60
Students/Seniors: $48