Altius Quartet is a Colorado-based ensemble determined to further the art of chamber music through performance, education, and outreach. Western Plains Arts Association presents Altius Quartet on Sunday, October 14, Goodland High School Auditorium, 12th and Cherry. Starting time is 2 p.m. MDT (3 p.m. CDT). Goodland is in the Mountain time zone. Admission is by WPAA season ticket or at the door adults $10, students $5.
WPAA programs are made possible by the generous gifts of area sponsors including a major grant from the Dane G. Hansen Memorial Foundation, Logan.
Deriving their name from the Olympic motto: Citius, Altius, Fortius (Latin for Faster, Higher, Stronger); Altius strives to communicate art to a more diverse audience through community engagement and innovative repertoire. Hailed as “rich” and “captivating” by the renowned music blog, “I Care If You Listen,” the Altius Quartet is garnering an international reputation and enrapturing the hearts of audiences through their charisma and dynamism.
Having recently released their second album, Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartets Nos. 7, 8, and 9, Altius has received critical acclaim from Fanfare Magazine describing them as “thrilling and enthralling” and their performance as “visceral and wrenching.”
Altius has been awarded prizes at many internationally respected competitions including: the 2016 Alice and Eleonore Schoenfeld International String Competition, the 2014 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the 2014 Coltman Chamber Music Competition, and the 2013 Plowman Chamber Music Competition. In the spring of 2017, Altius released their debut album “Dress Code” on the PARMA label and was highly praised for their musicianship and versatility. Review Graveyard praises the album by saying, “The appeal for this album is huge. It introduces classical music to those that are not normally fans…”
Altius Quartet is deeply committed to outreach, often performing concerts and teaching master classes in public schools and alternative performing venues including: jazz clubs, bars, and cafes. The quartet currently has a partnership with the Aspen Music Festival and School for annual educational outreach residencies throughout the Roaring Fork. And beginning in 2016, Altius has worked alongside Denver Friends of Chamber Music and Arts Longmont performing outreach events for school children spanning the entire Denver/Boulder metroplex.
Members are professional string musicians: Joshua Ulrich and Andrew Giordano, violins; Andrew Krimm, viola; and Zachary Reaves, cello.
When not recording or performing, Altius Quartet enjoys experiencing the great outdoors and friendly rivalry in their Fantasy Football league. Altius can be followed on all platforms of social media including: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter via the handle @altiusquartet. The website is altiusquartet.com.