Composer and musician Paul Dresher collaborated with Berkeley Symphony, led by music director Joana Carneiro, on a new work featuring one of Dresher’s large-scale invented instruments–the Quadrachord. “Concerto for Quadrachord & Orchestra” was created over the course of two years with key orchestra members directly collaborating with Dresher during the composition process.
The Quadrachord boasts a total string length of 160 inches, comprising four strings of different gauges but of equal length and an electric bass pick-up next to each of the two bridges.
Paul Dresher is an internationally active composer noted for his ability to integrate diverse musical influences into his own coherent and unique personal style. He pursues many forms of musical expression including experimental opera and music theater, chamber and orchestral composition, live instrumental electro-acoustic music performances, musical instrument invention, and scores for theater, dance, and film. He has been creating large-scale invented instruments for over ten years.
Berkeley Symphony, founded in 1969 as the Berkeley Promenade Orchestra, is known for its innovative performances. Joana Carneiro was named Music Director and Conductor of Berkeley Symphony in January 2009, succeeding Kent Nagano as only the third Music Director in its 40-year history.
The work premiered on October 4, 2012 at Zellerbach Auditorium in Berkeley.