WHAT: La Catrina performance
WHO: Daniel Vega-Albela and Roberta Arruda, violinists; Javier Arias, cellist; and Jorge Martinez-Rios, violist
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1
WHERE: Atkinson Recital Hall
New Mexico State University's faculty quartet in residence, La Catrina String Quartet, will perform its last concert of the semester at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Atkinson Recital Hall.
The Latin Grammy Award-winning group in NMSU's College of Arts and Sciences is comprised of violinists Daniel Vega-Albela and Roberta Arruda, cellist Cesar Martinez and violist Jorge Martinez-Rios. They will perform Mexican and European pieces from Classical, Romantic and Modern eras.
"We play many concerts a year, and most are outside Las Cruces or New Mexico," Vega-Albela said. "I think it's important to share with the community what we're doing."
"String music is music in its purest form," added Martinez-Rios. "You are dealing with only four voices, and when you hear that as an audience, you really get to know the composer in a very personal way. That's what is unique about chamber music. You show everything, and that's what makes it so intimate."
The concert will also be an opportunity for founding members Martinez Rios and Vega-Albela to introduce the group's two newest members to the community. Arruda and Arias recently joined the quartet and the College of Arts and Sciences' Music Department as faculty.
Arias described the performance as a "concert with commentary," because members are known for speaking directly to the audience and explaining the musical pieces.
Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. Proceeds benefit the NMSU Foundation for scholarships.
"It's our treat to the community," Arruda said of the performance.
To learn more about La Catrina, visit http://www.lacatrinaquartet.com.