Evento

Kontras Quartet - "Origins" CD Release Event

The Kontras Quartet's third and final appearance on Elmhurst College's 2014-2015 World Music Series will feature music from their first album under the MSR Classics label. Come celebrate with us and get your own copy of "Origins"!

Koumatsu - Four Japanese Folk Songs
Volans - String Quartet No. 2 - Hunting:Gathering
Stravinsky - Three Pieces for String Quartet
Visconti - Ramshackle Songs

The heart of the Kontras Quartet mission has always been to celebrate that which we have in common, regardless of those traits which make us appear different on the surface. Our name may seem to contradict this mission, given that Kontras means "contrasts" in Afrikaans, but we have found that contrast doesn't have to mean conflict; in fact, it can serve to enhance our tolerance of others. Sometimes we let our differences overshadow our ability to find commonalities, but when we earnestly share the things about ourselves that define our personal histories, and respond with curiosity rather than resistance, a remarkable thing happens: we find ourselves learning to understand each other better. And when we understand each other, then, we have something in common.

The four of us grew up on four different continents, yet bonded over our passion for good music and a desire to share that passion with anyone who would listen. We set out as a group to present diverse, quality music from our home countries that could be appreciated in any culture, and chose repertoire with the intention that our first album would feature one piece each from Russia, South Africa, Japan and the U.S.A. As this project slowly came into focus, we knew this would be an album about origins: the sacred thing in each of us that, when shared, demonstrates our desire to relate in a spirit of friendship.