MUSIC

Houston Friends of Chamber Music presents the Cuarteto Casals, Tuesday, November 1, 2011.

Since its founding at the Escuela Reina Sofia in Madrid in 1997, the Cuarteto Casals has quickly become recognized as one of Europe's most distinguished young string quartets. The four artists have garnered extensive critical acclaim and won top prizes at many international competitions, including First Prize at the 2000 London International String Quartet Competition and First Prize at the Johannes Brahms International String Quartet Competition in Hamburg (2002). In September 2000, the ensemble was honored with the Catalonian Music Critics Prize and in 2008, the prestigious Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award in England. They play at the Palacio Real in Madrid, on the Royal Family's priceless collection of matched Stradivarius instruments.

Upcoming and recent activities include performances at the Wigmore Hall in London, Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Lincoln Center (New York), Philharmonie (Berlin), and the Library of Congress (Washington). This will be their first appearance with the Houston Friends of Chamber Music, in keeping with our mission to present stellar young chamber ensembles.

"The Spanish string quartet is a group that breathes naturally with music, as if the sonic messages are emanating from deeply within. Cuarteto Casals is an ensemble of bold character whose members favor drama and clarity even as they apply utmost refinement to the inspiration unfolding beneath their fingers." Donald Rosenberg, The Plain Dealer

Scheduled Program:

ARRIAGA String Quartet #1 in d minor
TURINA Oración del torero
SCHUBERT #13 in a, D.804 "Rosamunde"