Acacia Quartet Presents “The American”
Acacia Quartet presents “The American,” a concert of music by Mozart, Dvorak and popular young Australian composer Alice Chance.
“The American” featuring three contrasting, but equally delightful string quartets (Classical, Romantic and Contemporary) is the latest in the crowd-pleasing Prelude in Tea series that includes a delectable afternoon tea before the concert!
Mozart’s String Quartet No. 15 in D Minor, K421 is the second of the quartets dedicated to Haydn and the only one of the set in a minor key.
Though undated in the autograph, it is believed to have been completed in 1783, while Constanze Mozart was in labour. Constanze said that the rising string figures in the second movement corresponded to her cries from the other room!
Alice Chance is one of Australia’s fast-emerging young composers. A Sundried String Quartet is her latest composition, specially commissioned for Acacia Quartet and the first two movements were premièred at the 2019 Bowral Autumn Music Festival.
Dvorák’s famous String Quartet No. 12, Op. 96 is known as ‘American’. Dvorák wrote this wonderful piece during the summer of 1893,
while being on vacation in Spillville, Iowa and it clearly shows delightful African-American influences.
In nine years, Acacia Quartet have won countless plaudits for their versatile and inventive programs. They have recorded nine albums, with ‘Blue Silence’ earning a nomination for an APRA-AMCOS Art Music ‘Award for Excellence’. Acacia are passionate about supporting Australian composers, working with young musicians and sharing their love of music with audiences of all ages. Their performances feature regularly on radio stations around the world and their engagements in Australia include the Sydney Opera House, City Recital Hall Sydney, Melbourne Recital Hall, as well as extensive touring through regional NSW and Victoria.
Internationally, they have appeared in Vancouver and Berlin – where they also recorded a CD of three string quartets by Günter Raphael, to be released later this year. Other albums include ‘Muse’ in collaboration with recorder player Alicia Crossley and ‘Imaginations’ with guitarist Matt Withers.
The programme: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – String Quartet 15, K421/ Alice Chance – A Sundried Quartet/ Antonin Dvorak – String Quartet 12, Op. 96 ‘American’
Tickets: Adult $49, Concession/Under 30 $32, Student $22, Child $17. Afternoon tea included
Bookings (02) 9955 3000 or www.theindependent.org.au
