A List
09/20/04

ALEXANDER STRING QUARTET SETS PERFORMANCE AT SLU

CANTON – The Alexander String Quartet, artists-in-residence at St. Lawrence 
University, will give a public performance on Thursday, September 23, at 
7 p.m. in Gulick Theatre on campus. The event is open to the public, free 
of charge.
      Since 1981, the Alexander String Quartet has distinguished itself in 
all aspects of chamber music. Hailed for its "dream-come-true performances" 
(Boston Globe), the Quartet tours annually throughout North America and 
Europe. Less than a year after its founding, the Alexander became the first 
string quartet ever to win the prestigious Concert Artists Guild award. 
Three years later, the Quartet again made history by becoming the first 
American quartet to win First Prize and the Audience Prize at the London 
International String Quartet Competition.
      The Alexander String Quartet includes Zakarias Grafilo, violin; 
Frederick Lifsitz, violin; Paul Yarbrough, viola; and Sandy Wilson, cello.
      In 2000, the Alexander String Quartet received an honorary degree 
from St. Lawrence, at Commencement. The Alexander String Quartet marks its 
25th anniversary in 2006.
      At home in San Francisco, the members of the Alexander are a major 
artistic presence, both as Ensemble in Residence with San Francisco 
Performances, and as directors of the Morrison Center for the Advanced Study 
of Chamber Music at San Francisco State University. Committed to the 
performance of chamber music from all eras, the Quartet is noted for its 
many commissioning grants and premieres of new works.
	In 1995, the Quartet was invited to record the complete Beethoven 
quartet cycle for BMG's Munich-based label, Arte Nova Classics. These releases 
have received rave reviews and are available in boxed format throughout Europe 
and the United States. Their recordings are also available on the Gallo, 
Foghorn and CRI labels.
	They will be in residence at the University from September 20 through 
24, visiting classes in a variety of departments and providing master 
classes for music students.

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