February 14, 2005

Renowned artists showcased at annual concert series

The New Millennium Concert series returns to California State University, Sacramento this spring, featuring performances by some of the leading classical musicians in the nation. Created to celebrate the dawn of the 21st century, the popular series has developed into an annual showcase of world-class talent.

The Sun Quartet

The Sun Quartet opens this year's series at 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28 in Capistrano Hall 151, and will be performing works by Dvorak, Haydn and Kingman. The ensemble is comprised of violinists Ian Swensen and Anna Presler, violist Anna Kruger and cellist Andrew Luchansky. Kruger and Luchansky are both Sacramento State music professors.

The critically acclaimed Dorian Wind Quintet is the second series concert, performing at 8 p.m. Friday, March 18 in the Music Recital Hall in Capistrano Hall. With dozens of recordings to its credit, High Fidelity magazine has heralded the Quintet's "superbly balanced performances of incredible élan, dazzlingly executed." In addition The Los Angeles Times described the group's playing as "Chamber music as it was meant to be."

Legendary guitar virtuoso Al Di Meola joins master guitarist Manuel Barrueco to perform the third series concert at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, in the Music Recital Hall in Capistrano Hall. Di Meola has collaborated with the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder. The Los Angeles Times describes Barrueco as "A major artist with remarkable musicianship and a world of technique…simply and consistently awesome."

Annually the most popular concert of the series, the Gala Finale will feature a variety of top-notch performers at 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, in the Music Recital Hall in Capistrano Hall. The Gala includes performances by violinist William Barbini, clarinetist Deborah Pittman, percussionist Dan Kennedy, vocalist Claudia Kitka and saxophonist Keith Bohm. Pittman and Kennedy are both Sacramento State music professors.

Individual tickets for concerts in the series are $20 and $30 general and $5 Sacramento State students. A subscription to all four performances is $75, a 25 percent savings on the cost of individual ticket purchases. Tickets are available from the CSUS Ticket office at (916) 278-4323 or Tickets.com. For more information contact (916) 612-1226. For media assistance, contact public affairs at (916) 278-6156.

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