PRISM Quartet at UNCSA

PRISM Quartet returns to UNCSA in a residency that will culminate in an adventurous concert that traverses an expansive range of music — from a beloved masterwork of the Western canon to exhilarating commissions.

Works on the program include the “Schumann Bouquet,” a suite of six movements drawn from Robert Schumann’s piano pieces for young people, selected and transcribed by William Bolcom for saxophone quartet; “Yarn” by Marcos Balter; “Pratigraha,” by Chicago Modern Orchestra Project founder Renee Baker; and Melissa Aldana’s “Reflections” featuring guest artist Steve Alford.

Hailed as “a bold ensemble that set the standard for contemporary-classical saxophone quartets” by The New York Times, PRISM seeks to place the saxophone in unexpected contexts; chart fresh musical territory; and challenge, inspire and move audiences. Former UNCSA School of Music faculty member Taimur Sullivan is a member of the quartet.

PROGRAM
Schumann Bouquet* (1848, from Album for the Young) by Robert Schumann (1810-1856), arr. 2015 by William Bolcom (b. 1938)
I. Lieber Mai (The beautiful month of May)
II. Knecht Ruprecht (The bogeyman)
III. Sheherazade
IV. Ländler (a sort of German waltz)
V. Sehr langsam (Very slow)
VI. Lied italienischer Marinari (Song of the Italian boatmen)

Yarn* (2023) by Marcos Balter (b. 1974)

Reflections* (2021) by Melissa Aldana (b. 1988)
PRISM Quartet and Steve Alford
I. Resumen De Otoño
II. El Atardecer
III. Una Carta De Amor
IV. Con La Primavera
V. Un Breve Amor

Favor* (2015) by Terell Stafford (b. 1966), arr. 2021 by Jack Saint Clair
PRISM Quartet and Steve Alford

INTERMISSION

Pratigraha* by Renee Baker (b. 1957)

Elegy: A Cry from the Grave (2016) by Carlos Simon (b. 1986)

Cha* (2015) by Julia Wolfe (b. 1958)

*Composed or arranged for PRISM Quartet