Quartet part of Fox Valley Arts celebration
The Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame will host a concert with the Pacifica Quartet at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4 at Neuqua Valley High School, 2360 95th St. in Naperville.
The faculty quartet in-residence at the University of Illinois won a 2009 Grammy Award and was named Ensemble of the Year for 2009 by Musical America.
The quartet was formed in 1994. First violinist Simi Ganatra initially performed with cellist Brandon Vamos and violinist Sibbi Bernhardsson while they were all teenagers. Bernhardsson later introduced violist Masumi Per Rostad to the group. Originally on the West Coast, the quartet takes its name from the Pacific Ocean.
Their CDs range from the complete music for string quartet by Felix Mendelssohn to such 20th-century masters as Elliott Carter and Ruth Crawford Seeger. The Pacifica Quartet tours extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia, performing in the world's major concert halls in cities such as Paris, London, Amsterdam, Vienna, and Tokyo.
The Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2010. To date 28 artists from the literary arts, media arts, performing arts and visual arts have been inducted. Plaques with the artists' images and a brief profile are displayed in the gallery of the Paramount theater in Aurora. Detailed biographies may be read on the Arts Hall of Fame Web site at www.foxvalleyarts.org.
The Arts Hall of Fame honor and showcases the work and performances of artists who have achieved extraordinary distinction. In even-numbered years, inductees will be officially recognized at a banquet and gala awards ceremony held in their honor, next year on April 22.
In the odd-numbered years, to enhance the cultural legacy of the Fox Valley, the Arts Hall of Fame hosts an exhibit or sponsors a performance as part of its Founders Series.
Tickets are $25, $20 for seniors, and $15 for students. Concertgoers are asked to call (630) 605-4000 in advance for reservations. Leave name with phone number. Any remaining seats will be available at the door.