Farallon Quintet – October 11, 2013

Johannes Brahms Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115Durwynne Hsieh Clarinet Quintet (World Premiere, Farallon Quintet commission)Carl Maria von Weber Clarinet Quintet in B-flat major, Op. 34The Farallon Quintet, founded in the summer of 2012, is a dynamic Bay Area ensemble focused on presenting the clarinet quintet—string quartet plus clarinet—repertoire. In addition to playing the classics, the group seeks to perform rarely heard works as well as new music by living composers. With over 50 existing clarinet quintets to choose from, the group offers diverse and engaging programs to the general public. In addition to formal concerts, the musicians look for opportunities to present informal educational programs at such venues as schools, hospitals, and retirement communities. In the 2013–14 season, The Farallon Quintet will perform one world premier—commissioned by the Farallon Quintet—a work by Durwynne Hsieh. The ensemble is made up of leading Bay Area musicians who are principal players in such orchestras as the San Francisco Ballet, Santa Rosa Symphony, Symphony Silicon Valley, Marin Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, Fremont Symphony, Monterey Symphony, Modesto Symphony, and the Sacramento Philharmonic. The group takes its name from the Farallon Islands, located right off the coast of San Francisco. In addition to being a landmark location close to where the players live and work, its meaning—“pillar” or “steep rock” in Spanish—indicates the groups vision to become an important “pillar” or “rock” in classical music by building awareness around the lesser known yet musically significant clarinet quintet repertoire. The Farallon Islands also represent the groups inspiration which is founded in the simplicity and beauty of nature. In fact, the group is known to intersperse rehearsals with hikes in the mountains and road trips—all with the intent to discover the natural beauties of Northern California. This performance is made possible in part through the Musical Grant Program, which is administered by the San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music, and supported by the Heller Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation, the San Francisco Foundation and San Francisco Grants for the Arts; sffcm.org.