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Form follows function, or function follows form?
Curated by Doug Machiz, Friction Quartet presents three colorful, creative and monumental collections that defy classification. John Adams’Book of Alleged Dances bursts with zany grooves and shocking virtuosity. Clarice Assad’s Canções da America shimmers and hypnotizes as it tactfully weaves South American folk music with traditional string quartet writing. Piers Hellawell’s Family Group with Aliens (a Friction commission) is a mind blowing set of nested pieces - like a Russian Doll, each successive movement is a miniaturized version of the main movement.
You may want to come to both performances as the order and form of the movements is left up to us; it will be unique each time!
Collections
Form follows function, or function follows form?
Curated by Doug Machiz, Friction Quartet presents three colorful, creative and monumental collections that defy classification. John Adams’Book of Alleged Dances bursts with zany grooves and shocking virtuosity. Clarice Assad’s Canções da America shimmers and hypnotizes as it tactfully weaves South American folk music with traditional string quartet writing. Piers Hellawell’s Family Group with Aliens (a Friction commission) is a mind blowing set of nested pieces - like a Russian Doll, each successive movement is a miniaturized version of the main movement.
You may want to come to both performances as the order and form of the movements is left up to us; it will be unique each time!
Hard Times
Rhythm; one of the most basic and compelling attributes of music.
Curated by Kevin Rogers, every piece on this program has some blend of the most difficult, challenging, and delightful rhythmic play inside of it. From Thomas Adés’s brilliant use of irrational time signatures (you read that right!) to the high octane music of Trevor Weston that Friction Quartet cuts it's teeth on. Also featured is the imaginative music of Vivian Fung, merging machinery and biology, and a series of arrangements of tunes written by Tigran Hamasyan, one of the greatest Jazz pianists alive today.
Come see the full breadth of rhythmic expression and experience some Hard Times!
Hard Times
Rhythm; one of the most basic and compelling attributes of music.
Curated by Kevin Rogers, every piece on this program has some blend of the most difficult, challenging, and delightful rhythmic play inside of it. From Thomas Adés’s brilliant use of irrational time signatures (you read that right!) to the high octane music of Trevor Weston that Friction Quartet cuts it's teeth on. Also featured is the imaginative music of Vivian Fung, merging machinery and biology, and a series of arrangements of tunes written by Tigran Hamasyan, one of the greatest Jazz pianists alive today.
Come see the full breadth of rhythmic expression and experience some Hard Times!
Shared Rituals
Delve into the communal and transformative power of music in this season finale featuring the music of Latinx composers.
The Bay Area-based and internationally-acclaimed Friction Quartet joins guest vocalists in a prelude performance featuring Paul Mortilla’sParadisio: Weavers of Light, depicting “the journey of the soul ascending through the various spheres of the universe.”
SFCM Players take the stage for the polyrhythmic groove of Tania Léon’s Indígena, conjuring the spirit of the comparsa, a group of masked revelers who roam the streets of Spain and Latin America during carnival season. Ana Lara’s intimate Y los oros la Luz provides a tranquil reflection, while the West Coast premiere of Miguel Chuaqui’s Tiempo Norte, Tiempo Sur dances with the unique harmonic and rhythmic gestures of jazz, juxtaposed with folk rhythms and melodies from Latin America. Gabriela Ortiz’s Corpórea “describes an oscillation between our material existence and our most spiritual condition,” concluding the concert in a flash of brilliance and vivacity. Experience an evening of profound connection as we explore the rituals that bind us together through sound and performance.
Folklore
A nod to a much longer tradition.
Feel the traditions of place and a people in this concert through the winding spirituals of Jessie Montgomery's Source Code and the bright and vibrant Korean fiddling of Sarang Kim's Two Hearts (a Friction commission).
Curated by Otis Harriel this concert also features Sergei Prokofiev's Karbardino-Balkar inspired Second String Quartet, and the incredibly creative RIPEFG, written by Yevgeniy Sharlat, which features Friction Quartet's Mitso Floor on the melodica.
Folklore
A nod to a much longer tradition.
Feel the traditions of place and a people in this concert through the winding spirituals of Jessie Montgomery's Source Code and the bright and vibrant Korean fiddling of Sarang Kim's Two Hearts (a Friction commission).
Curated by Otis Harriel this concert also features Sergei Prokofiev's Karbardino-Balkar inspired Second String Quartet, and the incredibly creative RIPEFG, written by Yevgeniy Sharlat, which features Friction Quartet's Mitso Floor on the melodica.
Monterey
Friction Quartet performs local works at the beautiful Hidden Valley Music Seminars.
This concert is presented by the Monterey County Composers Forum, a non-profit organization which exists to present new music featuring local composers and songwriters.
The concert will be a diverse and exciting presentation of the creativity present in the central coast region of California.
Song and Dance
"If you can walk you can dance, if you can talk you can sing"
We can all do it and we all love it, so join us in celebrating songs and dances from around the world. In this program curated by Mitso Floor, Friction Quartet presents a joyous and diverse selection of songs, from beautiful and delightful songs written by Carlos Paredes, Antonin Dvorak, and Kenji Bunch to whirlwind dances written by Astor Piazolla and Franghiz Ali-Zadeh.
Also included are two pop songs you might be familiar with that show off the arranging skills of Friction's own Mitso Floor and Doug Machiz.
Song and Dance
"If you can walk you can dance, if you can talk you can sing"
We can all do it and we all love it, so join us in celebrating songs and dances from around the world. In this program curated by Mitso Floor, Friction Quartet presents a joyous and diverse selection of songs, from beautiful and delightful songs written by Carlos Paredes, Antonin Dvorak, and Kenji Bunch to whirlwind dances written by Astor Piazolla and Franghiz Ali-Zadeh.
Also included are two pop songs you might be familiar with that show off the arranging skills of Friction's own Mitso Floor and Doug Machiz.
New Music Decanted
A Retrospective of the late Kaija Saariaho,
featuring all 44 of her chamber works.
Friday, August 16 | Saturday, August 17 | Sunday, August 18
https://newmusicdecanted.org for more details
NightLife Remix
Presented by Mellow Sessions, Friction Quartet performs a one-of-a-kind performance in front of one of the deepest and largest coral displays in the world.
While you check out the music you can sip on a cocktail and check out all of the exhibits that the California Academy of Sciences has to offer.
Tell Me a bedtime story, ABRAXAS
Bay Area composer Brett Carson presents a new experimental, multimedia chamber opera entitled Tell Me a Bedtime Story, ABRAXAS. The abstract, dream-like narrative follows the central protagonist, "The Amphibian", through a series of vignettes exploring the double-life of amphibians as beings existing both on land and in the water. They wander a landscape of Christian and Gnostic mythologies, culminating in a revelation of the transcendent Gnostic deity Abraxas, a being beyond logic and duality.
Leading the ensemble are trailblazing vocalists Daniel Cilli and Melinda Martinez Becker, followed by the tireless new music aficionados Friction Quartet and versatile drummer/percussionist Jordan Glenn. In addition to composing the music and libretto, Carson also serves as the director and production designer. Portland-based artist Jayden Becker contributes an immersive video component.
Tell Me a bedtime story, ABRAXAS
Bay Area composer Brett Carson presents a new experimental, multimedia chamber opera entitled Tell Me a Bedtime Story, ABRAXAS. The abstract, dream-like narrative follows the central protagonist, "The Amphibian", through a series of vignettes exploring the double-life of amphibians as beings existing both on land and in the water. They wander a landscape of Christian and Gnostic mythologies, culminating in a revelation of the transcendent Gnostic deity Abraxas, a being beyond logic and duality.
Leading the ensemble are trailblazing vocalists Daniel Cilli and Melinda Martinez Becker, followed by the tireless new music aficionados Friction Quartet and versatile drummer/percussionist Jordan Glenn. In addition to composing the music and libretto, Carson also serves as the director and production designer. Portland-based artist Jayden Becker contributes an immersive video component.
Antenna Cloud Farm
Leveraging the power of music as a catalyst for transformation and community health, Antenna Cloud Farm has established itself as an arts-centered ecosystem and cultural hub that focuses on presenting world-class, vision-based live programming. Friction Quartet will perform To Unpathed Waters, Undreamed Shores by Michi Wiancko along with other pieces TBA.
Residency @ The Walden School
The Walden School Young Musicians Program provides an unparalleled creative summer experience for musically inclined students ages 9 to 18. Part school, part camp, and part festival, the program convenes each summer for five weeks in the beautiful Monadnock region in Dublin, New Hampshire. Through rigorous and innovative daily instruction, students hone their musical and creative skills within a supportive community of like-minded peers and mentors, with a goal of improvising and composing original works.
Through the performance of diverse music, guest artists play an active role in helping stimulate students’ creativity. We are pleased to announce that Sarah Kirkland Snider will be Composer-in-Residence at YMP 2024. Visiting artists will include Friction Quartet, Aurora Nealand, International Contemporary Ensemble, and the Walden School Players.
Friction Presents: Music about Music
Who said classical music had to be boring?
Sampling? Inspiration? Copycat? Music with other music inside of it. Exciting pieces that think out of the box and break the fourth wall of the classical experience. Music by Dan Becker, Jörg Widmann, Caroline Shaw, Paweł Malinowski, and Toru Takemitsu. This concert is curated by Kevin Rogers.
Crowden 40th Anniversary
An unforgettable showcase of Crowden alumni, mentors, and friends at Hertz Hall, including Bonnie Hampton, Audrey Vardanega, the Friction Quartet, the Catalyst Quartet, and more. This program features perennial Crowden favorites paired with special moments, including a work composed by our greatest benefactor, composer Gordon Getty, and the world premiere of a 40th anniversary commission by alum Samuel Carl Adams ('00), performed by our Crowden School musicians and two acclaimed Crowden violinists: world-renowned concert artist and violin pedagogue Nora Chastain, a student of our founder Anne Crowden, and Crowden alumnus David McCarroll (’99), Concertmaster of the Pittsburgh Symphony, formerly a member of the famed Vienna Piano Trio.
405 Shrader
Chamber music in an intimate venue. Join Friction Quartet at 405 Shrader, where they will perform a concert featuring the wonderful String Quartet no. 2 “Intimate Letters” by Leoš Janáček.
Friction Presents: Music about Music
Unfortunately this performance has been cancelled due to unforeseen health issues. The concert will be rescheduled at the earliest possible time, so stay tuned!
Who said classical music had to be boring?
Sampling? Inspiration? Copycat? Music with other music inside of it. Exciting pieces that think out of the box and break the fourth wall of the classical experience. Music by Dan Becker, Jörg Widmann, Caroline Shaw, Paweł Malinowski, and Toru Takemitsu. This concert is curated by Kevin Rogers.
Nancy Karp + Dancers
Nancy Karp + Dancers is delighted collaborate again with Friction Quartet featuring music by composers Samuel Adams and David A. Jaffe with guest musicians Haruka Fujii on percussion and David A. Jaffe on mandolin and mandocello.
Nancy Karp + Dancers
Nancy Karp + Dancers is delighted collaborate again with Friction Quartet featuring music by composers Samuel Adams and David A. Jaffe with guest musicians Haruka Fujii on percussion and David A. Jaffe on mandolin and mandocello.
Friction Presents: Sundial
New music by some of the most exciting living composers. Quartet by Michael Gilbertson, a work awarded as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Sundial by Samuel Adams, for String Quartet and Vibraphone, and a new work commissioned by Friction Quartet by Emma O'Halloran.
Holidays @ the Mission
Ring in the holiday season with singing, and lots of it! Join the iSing Silicon Valley Girls Chorus along with guests Friction Quartet, Jessie Nucho, Carlos Ortega, Emily Kupitz. Enjoy a festive and fun holiday concert with 300 singers, featuring music from Scandinavia.
Holidays @ the Mission
Ring in the holiday season with singing, and lots of it! Join the iSing Silicon Valley Girls Chorus along with guests Friction Quartet, Jessie Nucho, Carlos Ortega, Emily Kupitz. Enjoy a festive and fun holiday concert with 300 singers, featuring music from Scandinavia.
Friction Presents: Ancient Echos
Music of antiquity representing the 13th - 16th centuries. Ancient composing masters; Pérotin, Philippe de Vitry and Tielman Susato, contrasted with music inspired by the past. Modern composers; Trey Spruance and Arvo Pärt, and a rarely performed masterpiece by Ottorino Respighi.
Roundcollab Presents
This performance is held in conjunction with ROUNDCOLLAB's inaugural exhibition at Minnesota Street Project Embrace, featuring eleven artists from Asia whose artworks address and embrace the imperfect world we live in. Featuring music by Michi Wiancko, this concert is performed by the internationally-acclaimed Friction Quartet.
Guests are invited to attend a post-show exhibition tour of Embrace at the Minnesota Street Project Atrium and Gallery 211.
Other Minds
Composers from five countries will convene for the 27th Other Minds Festival, an international annual showcase for composers held this year at San Francisco’s Taube Atrium Theater November 15-18.
Other Minds
Composers from five countries will convene for the 27th Other Minds Festival, an international annual showcase for composers held this year at San Francisco’s Taube Atrium Theater November 15-18.
Melt: TAC for Climate Change
TAC Presents: Melt, featuring the Friction Quartet
Oceans and ice floes ebb, flood, warm and change; life recedes or presses forward. Join TAC and the Friction Quartet in contemplating our unknown future with music for string quartet with and without electronics, in this climate-inspired concert. The program will feature To Unpathed Waters Undreamed Shores by Michi Wiancko, Under the sea ice by Christopher Luna Mega, and premieres of three new pieces by TAC student composers.
‘Quartet +’ w/ Helen Sung
Friction Quartet and acclaimed pianist/composer and 2021 Guggenheim Fellow Helen Sung present Quartet +, her latest release on Sunnyside Records.
‘Quartet +’ w/ Helen Sung
Friction Quartet and acclaimed pianist/composer and 2021 Guggenheim Fellow Helen Sung present Quartet +, her latest release on Sunnyside Records.
Dominican Univserity of California
La Vida Dominican Hispanic heritage celebration and concert.
Music from composer and friend of Friction, Nicolás Lell Benavides and arrangements of mariachi music. This concert features mezzo-soprano, Melinda Martinez Becker, who also completed the arrangements for string quartet and vocalist.
Friction Presents: Lyric Suite
Friction Quartet presents two of the most celebrated and passionate quartets of the 20th century. Leoš Janáček’s magnum opus, String Quartet no. 2 “Intimate Letters”, and Alban Berg’s 12 tone masterpiece, Lyric Suite .
Groupmuse
This concert has been postponed due to unforseen circumstances. If you have registered please contact Groupmuse. Please stay tuned for a reschedule of this show. If you’d like still like to hear some of this music you can buy tickets to Friction Presents: Lyric Suite on Sep 24 at 4pm at the Berkeley Piano Club.
Garden Concert
Sit amongst friends as Friction Quartet performs the music of Joseph Haydn, Leoš Janáček and Caroline Shaw in an intimate backyard setting. Food and drink will be available.
Mercury Soul + SF Opera + Friction Quartet
Sets by DJ Masonic (Mason Bates) and DJ Justin Reed (illmeasures, Chicago) are interspersed by performances by Friction Quartet and others in this stunning Greek-revival structure. Enjoy cocktails in the Mint’s courtyard in this event featuring music from SF Opera’s upcoming season.