Thalea String Quartet

The Department of Music presents the Thalea String Quartet in concert.

The Thalea String Quartet brings their signature vibrancy and emotional commitment to dynamic performances that reflect the past, present, and the future of the string quartet repertoire while celebrating diverse musical traditions from around the world. Fueled by the belief that chamber music is a powerful force for building community and human connection, the Thalea String Quartet has performed across North America, Europe, and China, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center, Massey Hall, and Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall. They have shared the stage with luminaries of the chamber music world, including members of the Emerson, Borromeo and St Lawrence String Quartets, and they have performed alongside celebrated artists including Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw, violist Lawrence Power, acclaimed Canadian band BADBADNOTGOOD, and visionary hip hop artist Jay Electronica.

The group features violinists Christopher Whitley and Kumiko Sakamoto, violist Lauren Spaulding, and cellist Titilayo Ayangade. Whitley performs on the 1700 “Taft” Stradivari, generously on loan by the Canada Council for the Arts Musical.

The quartet’s program will feature:

Akshaya Avril Tucker — Radha in the Forest

Jessie Montgomery — Source Code 

Tanya Tagaq (arr. Jacob Garchik) — Sivunittinni  

Florence B. Price — Five Folksongs in Counterpoint

Alfredo Ruiz-Malca — Here’s the Thing

Chris Benna — String Quartet No. 2

D’Juan Moreland — Pride’s Hunt

Dale Gray — Wanderer

Sonia Borenstein — The Flat Circle

Photo by Titilayo Ayangade