CQ@Howl!
CQ@Howl!
A Performance Series by the Catalyst Quartet
Turbulent, wildly colorful and exploding with life, Strum sounded like a handful of American folk melodies tossed into a strong wind, cascading and tumbling joyfully around one another.
—Jessie Montgomery album review, The Washington Post
Howl! Happening is pleased to present the first in a new performance series by the Catalyst Quartet—CQ@Howl! The series brings to life the reciprocal connection and common mission between Howl! Happening and the Catalyst Quartet to explore the intersections of art, music, performance, social justice, immigrants, equality, and community activism.
In the intimate space of the gallery, the quartet will perform highlights from their current concert season, special sneak peek presentations, and collaborative works in process. The first event will feature the CQ songbook. This dynamic program tells the story and shares the ethos of the Quartet—presenting music spanning almost 300 years by composers from the Americas and Europe, including works by Caroline Shaw, Osvaldo Golijov, Philip Glass, Jessie Montgomery, as well as American folk tunes arranged by the group.
The members of the quartet are Jessie Montgomery and Karla Donehew Perez, violins; Paul Laraia, viola; and Karlos Rodriguez, cello.
Each happening in the series will offer an opportunity to experience CQ and the inner workings of a string quartet through performance, conversation, and direct engagement with the artists. This season’s highlights include contemporary and 20th century works from their Hemispheres programs, music of North and South America, works in process from their spoken word project, and much more. Future performances in the series to be announced!
