Guarneri String Quartet's Final Bay Area Concert November 20, 2008

The venerable Guarneri String Quartet is retiring after 45 years of music making. San Francisco Performances presents the ensemble's final Bay Area appearance, with the young Johannes String Quartet, in a program that includes three Bay Area premieres.

Along with Mendelssohn's remarkable Octet, the Guarneri and Johannes will perform the Bay Area premiere of William Bolcom's "Octet: Double Quartet," along with new quartets by Esa-Pekka Salonen and Derek Bermel.

Since forming in 1964, the Guarneri Quartet -- violinists Arnold Steinhardt and John Dalley, violist Michael Tree and cellist Peter Wiley -- have circled the globe countless times, playing the most prestigious halls in North and South America, Mexico, Europe, Asia and Australia. The group is having its farewell tour during the 2008-09 season.

Just 10 years old, the Johannes String Quartet has already made its mark. Members are violinists Soovin Kim and Jessica Lee, violist Choong-Jim "C.J." Chang and cellist Peter Stumpf.

Both Quartets trace their roots to both the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and the renowned Marlboro Music Festival in Vermont.

$49/$32.

Official Website: http://www.performances.org