Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WHO: The Austin Symphony Quartet
WHEN: December 2, 2007 - 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Smith Family Chapel, Riverbend Church, 4214 Capital of Texas Hwy.
TICKETS: $25
CONTACT: Don Hill, Director of Public Relations - 476-6064 x 213

AUSTINSYMPHONY QUARTET DEBUTS AT RIVERBEND SMITH CHAPEL

The Austin Symphony announces the debut performance of the new Austin Symphony Quartet, Sunday, December 2, 2007 at the Smith Chapel of Riverbend Church. Formed by the principal string musicians of the Austin Symphony, the ASQ presents the first concert in what the group hopes will evolve into a chamber series beginning next September at the Long Center for the Performing Arts' Rollins Theatre.

PROGRAM
Mozart - String Quartet No. 22 in B-flat Major, K. 589
Chávez - String Quartet No. 3
Schubert - String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810 "Death and the Maiden"

The Austin Symphony Quartet players include ASO Concertmaster Jessica Mathaes, principal second violinist Richard Kilmer, principal violist Bruce Williams and principal cellist Douglas Harvey. This opening concert takes place at the picturesque Smith Family Chapel on the campus of Riverbend Church. It is the vision of the Austin Symphony Quartet to create a four-concert string quartet series starting in the fall of 2008 as part of the Austin Symphony's wide variety of musical offerings. Mathaes, Kilmer, Williams and Harvey are four of Texas' most talented artists and are poised to make history on the Austin classical music scene. They intend to treat Austin classical music lovers for generations to come to the unparalleled string quartet repertoire.

The ASQ begins the afternoon with Mozart's String Quartet in B-flat Major, K. 589. It was inevitable that Mozart should also show his mastery in music for smaller groups of instruments as he had for his larger works. This B-flat Major Quartet is number 22 of 23 quartets composed by Mozart.

The afternoon also includes the Third String Quartet of Mexican composer Carlos Chávez. His investigation into Indian cultures, native folk music and dance forms were of significant influence in his music, which was characterized by a highly distinctive use of crossrhythms, syncopation, irregular meter and colorful orchestration.

Finishing out the afternoon is the Franz Schubert "Death and the Maiden" string quartet, No. 14 in D Minor. Of Schubert's various string quartets, this quartet, with variations on the song of the same name, is one of his most familiar.

Tickets for The Austin Symphony Quartet are $25 and are available at the Austin Symphony Box Office, 11th & Red River, or call 476-6064 or 1-888-4-MAESTRO (toll-free).