University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

By SUE WUETCHER

Published: November 19, 2008

The Swedish contemporary ensemble Norrbotten NEO will take part in a “mini-residency” at UB next month that includes a concert, composer workshop and several master classes.

The Department of Music also is bringing back the critically acclaimed Ives String Quartet, a regular performer in UB’s Slee/Beethoven String Quartet Cycle, for the third concert in this year’s cycle.

The Robert G. and Carol L. Morris Center for 21st Century Music is sponsoring Norrbotten NEO’s visit, which will begin with ensemble members conducting master classes at 4 p.m. Dec. 2 in various locations in Baird and Slee halls, North Campus. Specific room numbers will be posted that day.

The musicians also will hold a composer workshop at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 3 in Baird Recital Hall, 250 Baird Hall.

The master classes and workshop are free and open to the public.

The ensemble will conclude its mini-residency with a performance, "The Age of Wire and String," at 8 p.m. Dec. 4 in Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall as part of the Slee/Visiting Artist Series.

Founded in January 2007, Norrbotten NEO is funded by Sweden’s national, regional and municipal governments with a mission to perform throughout the country, as well as internationally. Its core ensemble of seven musicians includes Sarah Hammarström, flute; Robert Ek, clarinet; Daniel Sauer, percussion; Mårten Landström, piano; Christian Svarfvar, violin; Linnea Nyman, viola; and Erik Wahlgren, cello. Guitarist Magnus Andersson will join the ensemble for the UB concert. Petter Sundkvist, one of Sweden's most sought-after conductors and an expert in the performance of 18th- and 19th-century music, serves as artistic director.

The Ives String Quartet, which has earned critical and popular acclaim for the depth and diversity of its programming, will present the third concert in the six-concert Slee/Beethoven String Quartet Cycle at 8 p.m. Dec. 5 in Lippes Concert Hall.

The quartet previously visited UB to perform the fifth concert in the cycle in February 2004 and the sixth concert in April 2007.

Quartet members Bettina Mussumeli and Susan Freier, violins; Jodi Levitz, viola; and Stephen Harrison, cello, also will conduct a master class at 10 a.m. Dec. 6 in Baird Recital Hall. The class is free and open to the public.

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Ives quartet, named after American composer Charles Ives, has attracted audiences from around the globe—from Alice Tully Hall in New York City to St. John's Smith Square in London.

Advance tickets for both Norrbotten NEO and the Ives String Quartet are $12 for the general public; $9 for UB faculty and staff, alumni and seniors; and $5 for students. Tickets at the door are $20, $15 and $8.