Dvořák’s American for lunchtime series

Galway’s ConTempo Quartet will perform Antonín Dvorák’s String Quartet in F major, Op. 96, American next Tuesday, March 1, in St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church at 1.10pm.

The concert is part of the Lunchtimes with ConTempo series that sees the quartet continuing mark their 20th anniversary by presenting some of their favourite string quartets.

Dvorák’s 12th string quartet was written in 1893 during the Czech composer’s time in the United States and is one of the most popular pieces in the chamber music repertoire.  Composed shortly after his New World Symphony, the string quartet is known as the ‘American’, not only for where it was written but for the suggestion that it draws on a number of elements typical to original African American and Native American music.

The Lunchtimes with ConTempo Series will continue on April 5 when the quartet perform Claude Debussy’s String Quartet in G minor, Op.10. On May 3, the group will present Béla Bartók’s String Quartet No. 2, Op. 17. The final concert in the season will be on June 7 when Mendelssohn String Quartet No.3, Op.44 No.1will be performed.

■ Admission to all these concerts is free and open to all. Early arrival for next Tuesday’s performance is recommended.