Russian Quartet visits SIUE campus to perform and to share culture

The music of eastern Europe comes to the campus as the St. Petersburg String Quartet visits SIUE Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as part of the 1998 Arts and Issues Series.

Formed in 1985 by Leningrad Conservatory alumni and originally named for that city, the quartet quickly gained recognition and success through its interpretations of works by Shostakovich and other Russian composers. In 1991, an extensive world tour began just as the city and quartet's appellation changed to "St. Petersburg."

The acclaimed quartet, which features violinists Alla Aranovskya and Ilya Teplyakov, violist Konstantin Kats and cellist Leonid Shukaev, has won prizes at numerous international music competitions, appointment as Quartet in Residence at the Oberlin Conservatory and a 1996 Grammy nomination. The quartet returns to the United States often to perform and give clinics at festivals and universities.

The St. Petersburg Quartet begins its stay on campus with a special coaching session of SIUE chamber music groups Tuesday. Students will perform for the guests and receive instruction from them.

Wednesday morning, the quartet members will give coaching sessions to SIUE students during "master classes" devoted to the instruments of the quartet.

Also Wednesday the visiting artists will give an informal lunchtime concert in the Morris University Center Art Gallery from noon to 12:45 p.m. All are invited to attend and "brown bag it."

The quartet's formal concert will be in the Dunham Hall Theater at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Works by Borodin, Shostakovich and Schubert will be featured in the program.

Thursday, students are invited to talk with the quartet members in an open forum on musicianship, professionalism and the international music market. The discussion takes place in the Dunham Hall Jazz Room from 10 to 11 a.m.

Tickets for the quartet's Wednesday performance are $6 for students and $12 for general admission. These and all other Arts and Issues events tickets are available by calling 650-2320.