Gustavus Adolphus College will welcome the award-winning ensemble from Mexico, Cuarteto Lationamericano, to campus at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15 in Jussi Björling Recital Hall. The musical group is known worldwide as the leading proponent of Latin American music for the string quartet. The group consists of three brothers, violinists Saúl and Arón and cellist Alvaro Bitrán, along with violist Javier Montiel.
Formed in 1982, Cuarteto Latinoamericano has recorded most of the Latin American repertoire for string quartet. They have recorded more than 40 albums. Their sixth and final album of Hector Villa-Lobos’s string quartets, Quartets Nos. 4, 9, and 11, was nominated for two Grammy Awards (Best Chamber Music and Best Latin Music) in 2002.
The group has introduced more than 100 works written for them and has participated in over 100 world premieres. In concert, the group has collaborated with such international figures as flutist Julius Baker, cellist Janos Starker, guitarist Narciso Yepes, and conductor Eduardo Mata.
Three consecutive times the quartet has been awarded the México en Escena grant from the Mexican government through FONCA (National Fund for Culture and the Arts) for 2009-2011. The award-winning project revolves around the bicentennial celebrations of Mexico’s independence and features Mexican music for string quartet from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries.
The quartet has appeared in a wide range of venues and festivals like the Concertgebouw, the Kennedy Center, Dallas Symphony, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Dartmouth College, Cornell University, Dartington International Summer School, and the Ojai Festival.
The musicians perform at Gustavus before touring throughout the United States, Mexico, Italy, Japan, Brazil, and Chile. Tickets for this special Gustavus Artist Series event are available online at gustavustickets.com. For more information, call 507-933-7590. Tickets are $20 for adult general admission and $17 for senior citizens and students under 18. Unsold tickets will go on sale at the box office one hour prior to the performance.
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