The Grammy-nominated PUBLIQuartet, hailed by The Washington Post as “a perfect encapsulation of today’s trends in chamber music,” reignites Town Music with its energetic and limitless conception of the string quartet. A dance-infused score from Jessie Montgomery (a past member of the group) proves why she is America’s hottest composer today, and Vijay Iyer’s tribute to James Brown shows just how funky a classical ensemble can be. PUBLIQuartet also brings its exceptional talent for collective improvisation, riffing on everything from free jazz icon Ornette Coleman to Dvořák’s classic “American” Quartet.

Performers

Curtis Stewart (violin), Janinna Norpoth (violin), Nick Revel (viola), and Hamilton Berry (cello)

Program

Jessie Montgomery (b. 1981) – Voodoo Dolls (2008)

PUBLIQuartet – MIND | THE | GAP: Pavement Pounding Rose (2019)

Improvisations on Fats Waller’s “Honeysuckle Rose”

PUBLIQuartet – MIND | THE | GAP: Free Radicals (2021)

Improvisations on “Law Years” and “Street Woman” by Ornette Coleman 6′

Vijay Iyer (b. 1971) – Dig the Say (2012)

I. carry the ball

IIa. this thing together

IIb. up from the ground

III. to live tomorrow

Intermission

PUBLIQuartet – MIND | THE | GAP: Wild Women Don’t Get the Blues (2021)

Improvisations on music by Tina Turner, Betty Davis, Alice Coltrane, and Ida Cox 10′

PUBLIQuartet – MIND | THE | GAP: What Is American? (2016)

Improvisations on Antonin Dvorak’s “American” Quartet (Op. 96)

I. Allegro ma non troppo

II. Lento

III. Molto vivace

IV. Finale. Vivace ma non troppo 25′