Dec.18, 2023

Contact Mary Ellen Haupert at 608-796-3770 or mehaupert@viterbo.edu

ARTARIA STRING QUARTET TO PERFORM THE COMPLETE BARTÓK QUARTETS IN THREE JANUARY CONCERTS AT VITERBO UNIVERSITY

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The acclaimed Artaria String Quartet will perform the six string quartets by Hungarian composer Béla Bartók in concerts on Sundays Jan. 7, 14, and 21 at 3 p.m. in the Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Nola Starling Recital Hall.

Widely considered to be the most important contributions to chamber music of the 20th Century, Bartók composed the quartets between 1909 and 1939. The works are filled with innovations inspired by the rustic folk music he collected in the Eastern European countryside. Bartók was a groundbreaking composer and ethnomusicologist who changed the course of modern harmony, influencing every major composer since.

The Jan. 7 concert will feature Quartets 2 and 5, Jan. 14 will include Quartets 3 and 1, and Quartets 6 and 4 will be performed Jan. 21.

The Artaria String Quartet, which consists of outstanding musicians Ray Shows, violin, Nancy Oliveros, violin, Annalee Wolf, viola, and Patricia Ryan, cello, is described as “Minnesota's foremost teaching and performing string quartet.” Frequent performers on the Schubert Club’s Landmark Concert Series, the group was awarded the prestigious McKnight Fellowship for Performing Musicians, was featured on Twin Cities Public Television as part of the Minnesota Originals series, and served as Minnesota Public Radio Artists-in-Residence. The 2023–24 season is their 38th year of chamber music performances and education.

These concerts are part of the Viterbo University Out of Our Minds Chamber Series. Tickets are $20, plus taxes and fees, for general admission seating. Tickets are offered at a reduced rate in a package of all three concerts. For more information or to order tickets, contact the Viterbo box office at 608-796-3100 or visit www.viterbo.edu/tickets.

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