MSU Music to host famed European recorder ensemble

Courtesy Photo-The Flanders Recorder Quartet

Contact: Michael Sundermann, MSU College of Music Communications Office 517-353-2043, mailto:sunderm1@music.msu.edu

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Flanders Recorder Quartet, one of Belgium’s top chamber ensembles, presents its 30th anniversary tour with “The Final Chapter,” a program of mostly Baroque music with works by Bach, Praetorius and Schein. The program will also include a recent work by Sören Sieg, commissioned by the Quartet. The concert, part of the Taylor Johnston Early Music Series, will be held on Tuesday, February 27th at 7:30 p.m. in the Fairchild Theatre.

For more than thirty years, the Flanders Recorder Quartet has toured worldwide, including annual American tours since 1994. The group maintains a prominence in the world of Early Music and performs regularly at several leading music festivals. The four members, Bart Spanhove, Paul Van Loey, Tom Beets and Joris Van Goethem, each have built a distinguished teaching career outside of performance. Together they have produced more than a dozen albums, some in collaboration with other prominent artists.

Although this is the final year for the quartet, as they have decided to disband at the end of 2018, their unique style will be remembered. “Their homogenous and crystal clear sound, their technical perfection and stylish interpretation are the unmistakable trade mark of the Flanders Recorder Quartet's ensemble playing. There is a perfection and purity nearing the ethereal…” Deutschland- Radio, Berlin.

Taylor Johnston, the sponsor of the Early Music Series, is on the faculty in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences of the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He combines his love of science with his passion for singing and playing early music on wind instruments, primarily the recorder.

Admission is free for students with ID and anyone under the age of 18. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (age 60 and older), and can be purchased online, at the College of Music box office, by calling (517) 353-5340, or in person.

More information can be found at the following website: http://music.msu.edu/event-listing/flanders-recorder-quartet-1

Other upcoming concert in the Early Music Series:

Tallis Scholars

April 15th, 2018, 7 p.m.

Fairchild Theatre