Kronos Quartet to Perform 11/8 at RISD Auditorium in Providence

FirstWorks and Community MusicWorks partner to present a rare Providence performance by Kronos Quartet, one of the world's most celebrated and influential ensembles, Friday, November 8, 2013, 8:00pm at RISD Auditorium. A legendary force at the forefront of the performing arts, Kronos embraces a spirit of fearless exploration to tell the stories of new music like no other.

The evening celebrates spectacular virtuosity and some of the best music of our time created especially for Kronos by a host of composers including Laurie Anderson, Serbian wunderkind Aleksandra Vrebalov, and Canadian electronic trickster, John Oswald. The highlight of the concert will be the first-ever performance of A Voice Exclaiming, a musically bi-lingual piece by the internationally renowned Kareem Roustom, composed for Kronos and The Community MusicWorks Players as part of an ambitious partnership between FirstWorks and Community MusicWorks (CMW).

"A Voice Exclaiming by Kareem Roustom is the perfect opportunity for Kronos to work with the students and faculty of Community MusicWorks through this partnership with FirstWorks to extend the reach of new music in our society," said David Harrington, Kronos Quartet founder and violinist. "This is a vivid, thought-provoking new piece that reflects hope in the time we live in, and the immense possibility for positive change as well as its awesome uncertainties and dangers."

A Voice Exclaiming was conceived to bring awareness to important global issues, and weaves together Arabic and Western music in homage to Syria, the birthplace of the composer.

Featuring David Harrington (violin), John Sherba (violin), Hank Dutt (viola) and Sunny Yang (cello), Kronos are the only recipients of both the Polar Music Prize and the Avery Fisher Prize, two of the most prestigious awards given to musicians.

FirstWorks and Community MusicWorks present Kronos Quartet, Friday, November 8, 2013, 8:00pm at RISD Auditorium, 17 Canal Walk, Providence. Tickets are $28-65 and are available online at first-works.org, or call 401-421-4281.