Forward 4 Quartet
Forward 4 Clarinet Quartet to Perform at Prestigious Chilean Music Festival
The internationally acclaimed Forward 4 clarinet quartet is slated to perform in February at Semanas Musicales de Frutillar, a prestigious chamber music festival in Chile. At the festival, the ensemble will feature the compositions of University of Utah faculty Miguel Chuaqui, Steve Roens, and Igor Iachimciuc.
Comprised of doctoral candidates Henry Caceres and Kattiusca Marin and undergraduate performance students Sam Noyce and Jairo Velazquez, the Forward 4’s invitation to perform at this international music festival came as quite a surprise, since students generally aren’t invited to perform.
“The Forward 4 is unusual as they are comprised of doctoral and undergraduate students, two different levels of expertise,” explains University of Utah faculty Kathy Pope, under whom the quartet studies. “Yet the group works well together as they all share an enthusiastic love of the clarinet.”
For Caceres, Marin, and Chuaqui, all natives of Chile, the invitation from Semanas Musicales de Frutillar is extra special. Paying homage to his heritage, Chuaqui has composed a piece based on the music of well-known Chilean folk singer Violeta Parra. “This festival is the oldest and most important international classical music festival in Chile,” remarked Chuaqui, noting the honor of his composition being featured.
Known for their diverse repertoire, the Utah-based clarinet ensemble has cultivated their unique style that brings a refreshed image to classical works of Mozart and Bach as well as contemporary music and recent compositions. “We don’t want to stay with just classical or romantic composers,” said Caceres. “Folk music is an especially appropriate genre for displaying the beauty of the clarinet.”
Featured last summer at the ClarinetFest in Assisi, Italy, Forward 4 worked with some of the most talented clarinetists in the world, building relationships with international influencers, including Philadelphia Orchestra principal Ricardo Morales. The experience inspired the group. “It refreshes your mind and soul to hear them talk about music,” Marin said of the opportunity. “And you have to have connections to succeed!”
Following their performance at the Semanas Musicales de Frutillar, Forward 4 will debut at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX, and return to ClarinetFest, this year in Batton Rouge, LA.
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The University of Utah School of Music offers a comprehensive program of music study on both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The School of Music educates professionally-oriented students across the musical spectrum through rigorous musical and academic experiences; serves the art of music through performance, composition, research and publication; and functions as the state’s center for intellectual, educational, and cultural musical activities. It has been an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music since 1952.