Between Us - Palaver Strings + Attacca Quartet

Two phenomenally talented chamber ensembles, Palaver Strings & Grammy award-winning Attacca Quartet join forces for a unique collaborative performance. Selected musical works explore themes of togetherness and collective vision, in human communities, physical space, and the natural world.

Caroline Shaw’s Plan & Elevation responds to the landscape of Dumbarton Oaks and ideas of space and proportion. Paul Wiancko’s Only Ever Us reflects on human connection, while Under the Sea Wind, co-composed by Dana Lyn and Kyle Sanna for Palaver Strings, explores the interconnectedness of marine ecosystems. The program concludes with Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings, an iconic staple of string chamber repertoire, featuring the combined forces of both ensembles.

PROGRAM:
Egos flos Campi a 7: Jacobus Clemens non Papa
Plan and Elevation: Caroline Shaw
Under the Sea Wind: Dana Lyn/Kyle Sanna
Only Ever Us: Paul Wiancko
Serenade for Strings: Antonin Dvorak

ABOUT:

Palaver Strings
Palaver Strings is a musician-led string ensemble and nonprofit organization based in Portland, ME. Our mission is to strengthen and inspire community through music. In our musician-led model, Palaver’s musicians share artistic and administrative leadership, guided by a passion for engaging new audiences, addressing social justice issues, and amplifying underrepresented voices. Equally committed to performance and education, Palaver presents a full season of live performances and serves over 325 students each year through the Palaver Music Center in Portland.

As a musician-led ensemble, Palaver operates collaboratively and democratically, with our 13 Co-Artistic Directors sharing musical and administrative leadership. Our adventurous musical programming is shaped directly by individual musicians, who bring their unique interests and experiences to the table. We all share a passion for expanding the possibilities of the string orchestra medium, embracing cross-genre projects, unconventional venues, new and reimagined music, and community collaborations. Palaver uses music to address social justice issues, promote education and dialogue, and amplify underrepresented voices. Education is central to our mission, and we strive to share these values with students of all ages and backgrounds through the Palaver Music Center.

Attacca Quartet

The Grammy award-winning Attacca Quartet “lives in the present aesthetically, without rejecting the virtues of the musical past” (The Nation) and it is this dexterity to glide between the music of the 18th through to 21st century living composer’s repertoire that has placed them as one of the most versatile and outstanding ensembles of the moment – a quartet for modern times.

Passionate advocates of contemporary repertoire, the quartet is dedicated to presenting and recording new works. Their latest recording project, Orange, features string quartet works by Pulitzer-prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw and has been greatly received and praised by the critics. Previous recordings include three critically acclaimed albums with Azica Records, including a disc of Michael Ippolito’s string quartets, and the complete works for string quartet by John Adams. The album was the recipient of the 2013 National Federation of Music Clubs Centennial Chamber Music Award. Additional awards for their recordings include both the Arthur Foote Award from the Harvard Musical Association and the Lotos Prize in the Arts from the Stecher and Horowitz Foundation.

Other accolades include First Prize at the 7th Osaka International Chamber Music Competition, the Top Prize and Listeners’ Choice award winners for the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition, and Grand Prize Winners of the 60th annual Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Mechanics' Hall, 519 Congress Street, Portland, United States