Pacifica Quartet

“All Hail the Pacificas! . . . Despite some very fierce competition, they are my favorite string quartet.”—Wendy Lesser, Threepenny Review

“The Pacifica Quartet astonished audiences with their Shostakovich string quartet series at Chicago’s historic auditorium.”—Andrew Patner, BBC Music Magazine

Recognized for its virtuosity, exuberant performance style, and often-daring repertory choices, the Pacifica Quartet has gained international stature as one of the finest chamber ensembles performing today. Formed in 1994, the quartet quickly won chamber music’s top competitions, including the 1998 Naumburg Chamber Music Award. Chosen as the quartet-in-residence at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (2009–2012)—a position previously held by the Guarneri String Quartet—and named ensemble of the year by Musical America, the Pacifica Quartet received the 2009 GRAMMY Award for best chamber-music performance.

Simin Ganatra, violin
Sibbi Bernhardsson, violin
Masumi Per Rostad, viola
Brandon Vamos, cello

Program

Quartet in F Major, op. 135            Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Allegretto
Vivace
Lento assai, cantante e tranquillo
Der schwer gefasste Entschluss: Muss es sein? Es muss sein!
Es muss sein! Grave, ma non troppo tratto; Allegro

Quartet no. 2, “Intimate Letters”        Leoš Janáček (1854‒1928)
Andante
Adagio
Moderato
Allegro

INTERMISSION

Quartet no. 1 in E minor, “From My Life”               Bedrich Smetana (1824‒1884)
Allegro vivo appassionato
Allegro moderato a la polka
Largo sostenuto
Vivace

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