Quartet champions new music and new adaptations of modern masterworks
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
The Dublin Guitar Quartet
The Dublin Guitar Quartet is a one-of-a-kind classical guitar ensemble. Photo courtesy of the Dublin Guitar Quartet.

The University of Iowa’s Hancher will present the Dublin Guitar Quartet on Saturday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Riverside Recital Hall, located at 405 N. Riverside Dr. in Iowa City.

Described as a "quartet with a difference" by theIrish Times, the Dublin Guitar Quartet (DGQ) is a one-of-a-kind classical guitar ensemble that occupies a unique space in the wider chamber music world. It is the first classical guitar quartet devoted to new music. Since its formation at the Dublin Conservatory of Music and Drama, DGQ has worked to expand the limited repertoire by commissioning new works and adapting modern masterpieces from outside of the guitar repertoire. The ensemble’s audiences have come to expect an explosive, entertaining, and novel concert experience.

With the help of eight and eleven-string guitars, the quartet has created an original catalogue of arrangements by composers such Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Arvo Part, and Gyorgy Ligeti—all four of whose music will be represented in the Hancher concert. The quartet will perform on electric guitars for Reich’s Electric Counterpoint. The concert will also feature music by Leo Brouwer, David Flynn, and The Redneck Manifesto, a rock band from Dublin.

The performance is supported by the Hancher Partners and gifts to the Hancher Circle through the UI Foundation.

Tickets are $35 for non-students; $31.50 for senior citizens; and $10 for college students and youth from the Hancher Box Office.

The Hancher Box Office, located on the first floor of the south end of the Old Capitol Town Center near the parking ramp, is open for phone (319-335-1160 or 800-HANCHER) or walk-up business from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays. Tickets may be ordered online at the Hancher website. Any remaining tickets will be available for sale one hour before show time at the Riverside Recital Hall.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, contact the Hancher Box Office in advance at 319-335-1158.