October 20, 8:00pm

William Bolcom
  Four Etudes from Twelve New Etudes, Books I-IV (1977-86) 70th Birthday
Joan Tower
  Tres Lent in memoriam Olivier Messiaen (1994) 70th Birthday
Elliott Carter
  Eight Etudes & a Fantasy (1949-50) 99th Birthday
Steve Reich
  Different Trains (1988)
  Electric Counterpoint (1987)

Denali Quartet with multi-track playback
Scott Dunn, piano
Brian Head, electric guitar with multi-track playback
Timothy Loo, cello
Pamela Vliek Martchev, flute
Keve Wilson, oboe
Joshua Ranz, clarinet
Damian Montano, Bassoon

Jacaranda's tradition of an all-American season opener begins with Bolcom recollecting his teacher Messiaen in these New Etudes. About Mr. Dunn's performance in last season's special return concert, the Los Angeles Times described him as, "suave, masterly, insouciant, nostalgic and exuberant." He then joins Mr. Loo as Tower pays hommage to Messiaen's most famous music. Carter, an exact contemporary, is represented by an ingenious and engaging diversion for the unusual group of four virtuoso winds.

Reich's Different Trains meditates on his childhood trans-American trips, while in Europe civilians and POWs, such as Messiaen, were sent to camps. The fearless Denali Quartet ("knock-your-socks-off"– Los Angeles Times) will bring, "a keen stage presence" (The Strad Magazine) to this riveting journey. Reich transforms the live electric guitar into an instrument of tingling meditation. Each work represents a high point in Reich's combining of live and pre-recorded music.