The St. Lawrence String Quartet are thrilled to announce a new creation and a unique collaborative venture: an octet for strings by the renowned Osvaldo Golijov. The new work, entitled Ever Yours offers presenters an opportunity to foster an unusual collaboration and connection between a long-established ensemble (in this case, the SLSQ) and four locally based “solo" string players (two violins, viola, cello), who may in fact be soloists, orchestral section leaders, or exceptionally talented conservatory or university students. 

In Golijov’s own words, Every Yours "explore(s) the dimensions opened by combining an organism with its own breathing and metabolism, like a string quartet, (especially one that is "mature" as the SLSQ) together with four individual players that come to orbit, interact, and disrupt this organism.” In grappling with the metaphysics of ensemble, the piece will serve as a platform for a significant and unusual collaboration between local artists and the SLSQ. Opportunities abound for further community engagement, including open rehearsals, talks, demonstrations, and school visits.

SLSQ believes that Osvaldo Golijov conveys the essence of human emotion as deeply as any living composer. "In 30 years of performing his music, we have witnessed without exception the powerful connections his music makes with audiences around the world. Collectively and individually, the SLSQ and Osvaldo have been lucky to enjoy one of the closest composer/performer relationships in recent times, taking part in the creation of nine major new works, including several pieces for string quartet, for two violins, Drag Down the Sky (a work for baritone and strings), the string nonet Last Round, and the epic Pasión Según San Marcos. Golijov considers us his musical siblings, and the prospect of a new work celebrates both this longstanding partnership and extends an invitation to a new generation of artists into our 'family band.'"
 

The work premiered in February 2022 at the San Francisco Conservatory and will be available for performances exclusively with SLSQ between February 2022 through August, 2024. Read the Nov 2020 NY Times profile with Osvaldo Golijov.

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Ever Yours was commissioned by the Amsterdam String Quartet Biennale, with the generous support of Monica Armour-Rosenzweig, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, College Park MD

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Watch the premiere here.