Details

Experience one of New York’s most celebrated contemporary string quartets creating music for change.

With a gripping performance style and an unquenchable appetite for musical adventure, Brooklyn Rider make their Australian debut as part of Melbourne Recital Centre’s 15th birthday celebration. With multiple GRAMMY®-nominations and international acclaim, this multitalented quartet is celebrated for creating music that spans the musical spectrum.

Having cemented themselves as unafraid musical explorers over their almost-20 years together, the string quartet have been described as ‘four classical musicians performing with the energy of young rock stars jamming on their guitars’ (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).

About the concert

For their introduction to Melbourne, Brooklyn Rider present The Four Elements, a program anchored by works symbolising earth, air, water and fire as a musical metaphor for both the inner workings of a quartet and the inter-related effects of climate change on our planet. This project, developed by the ensemble in 2022, uses compositions from within the last century of accelerated and unprecedented planetary change and presents them alongside commissions.

Generously supported by the Robert Salzer Foundation.

Post-Concert Talk

Following this extraordinary performance, Brooklyn Rider joins Melbourne Recital Centre’s Director of Programming, Marshall McGuire, in the ground floor foyer for a 20-minute discussion about their artistry, careers and more. Take a seat and enjoy this perfect conclusion to your musical experience.

Read the Program Notes

Caring for Our Community

Melbourne Recital Centre is committed to the safety of our artists, staff and patrons. A range of public health, hygiene and physical distancing measures are currently in place. Click here to learn more.

Artists & Program

Artists

Brooklyn Rider
Johnny Gandelsman violin
Colin Jacobsen violin
Nicholas Cords viola
Michael Nicolas cello

Program

Colin Jacobsen
A Short While to be Here
Based on American Folk Songs as collected by Ruth Crawford Seeger.

Akshaya Tucker
Hollow Flame

Andreia Pinto Correia
Aere senza stelle

Henri Dutilleux
String Quartet Ainsi la nuit (Thus The Night)

Dmitri Shostakovich
String Quartet No.8 in C minor, Op.110

Osvaldo Golijov
Tenebrae