April Music Concerts

The end of April brings two concerts to the Library’s Koret Auditorium.

Spring Koto Concert

On Sunday, April 27, 2008 from 2 to 4 PM, the Library will present a spring program by the San Francisco Koto Ensemble. The koto is a long thirteen-string zither from Japan. According to Grove Music Online, a library database, "it is most important as a household instrument and is considered a valuable adjunct to a refined upbringing and education." The koto tradition represents the essence of Japanese music from ancient days and provides a common thread of the deepest roots of cultural heritage. This event is cosponsored by the Library’s International Center.

"Ring of Fire" - Music of the Pacific Rim

The Del Sol String Quartet is a dynamic, San Francisco-based ensemble that commissions and introduces new work from prominent and emerging composers, and also collaborates with other musicians across cultures and genres. Last June they presented a concert of works by women composers at the Library. On Tuesday, April 29 from 4-5 PM they will present a program entitled “Ring of Fire - Music of the Pacific Rim” that will feature music by composers of America’s West Coast as well as other Pacific Rim nations in Asia and Oceania.

The program will consist of the following works:

Kui Dong (b. 1966, China): Spring (2006)
Jack Body (b. 1944, New Zealand): Epicycle (1989, rev. 2005)
Zhou Long (b. 1953, China): Song of the Ch'in (1982)
John Adams (b. 1947, USA): “Toot Nipple” from John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994)
Gabriela Lena Frank (b. 1972): Leyendas - An Andean Walkabout (2001)
Chinary Ung (b. 1942, Cambodia): Spiral X (2007)
Peter Sculthorpe (b. 1929, Australia): selection from String Quartet No. 16 (2005)



As always, all Library programs are free and open to the public. The Koret Auditorium is located in the Lower Level of the Main Library, at 100 Larkin Street (at Grove). Call (415) 557-4277 for more information.