We continue our ongoing relationship with various public libraries. This time for the Munching with Mozart series. We will have another fun and eclectic program, but probably no Mozart :)
More details coming!
Special program for the William H. Nadeau Memorial Fund concert series.
Bring a picnic and come celebrate summer with a fun Del Sol program!
as part of “Everybody’s Project”
The Jingwei Bird, with SF Poet Laureate Genny Lim
THE JINGWEI BIRD explores the complexity of climate change and our relationship to the planet through multi-disciplinary performances with Del Sol Quartet and San Francisco poet laureate Genny Lim. It weaves brand-new music by Asian-American composers with powerful bilingual poetry, using storytelling and mythology to deepen our understanding and awareness of the nature around us.
:https://sfpl.org/locations/main-library/general-collections/everybodys-climate-2025
Illuminating Britten’s “Turn of the Screw”
Like Henry James’ novella, Benjamin Britten’s “Turn of the Screw” glimpses horror in the dark shadows of childhood. Or does it?
Del Sol Quartet takes the child-centered approach in this vivid program of music by child-adjacent composers. Britten’s youthful “Three Divertimenti” began as musical portraits of his school friends. “Akoya”, by Erika Oba, takes us into the enchanted landscape of a Japanese folk-tale she tells her niece. Mark Orton’s “Microsuite” is a gently funky sofa-snuggle with grandma. And Lukas Ligeti is a grown-up who still hasn’t stopped playing with drums. Recent music by gamin, Jungyoon Wie, and Del Sol’s own Hyeyung Sol Yoon round out the program along with the world premiere of “Kids and Dads” by Santa Fe composer Chris Jonas.
Illuminating Britten’s “Turn of the Screw”
Like Henry James’ novella, Benjamin Britten’s “Turn of the Screw” glimpses horror in the dark shadows of childhood. Or does it?
Del Sol Quartet takes the child-centered approach in this vivid program of music by child-adjacent composers. Britten’s youthful “Three Divertimenti” began as musical portraits of his school friends. “Akoya”, by Erika Oba, takes us into the enchanted landscape of a Japanese folk-tale she tells her niece. Mark Orton’s “Microsuite” is a gently funky sofa-snuggle with grandma. And Lukas Ligeti is a grown-up who still hasn’t stopped playing with drums. Recent music by gamin, Jungyoon Wie, and Del Sol’s own Hyeyung Sol Yoon round out the program along with the world premiere of “Kids and Dads” by Santa Fe composer Chris Jonas.
June 21, 2025
Program: Exploring the Japanese Picture Bride Experience
A concert by the Del Sol String Quartet in partnership with Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF), with special artwork by Patricia Wakida.
Come explore the history of the Japanese Picture Brides on Angel Island with a musical performance by the Del Sol Quartet. The 45 minute performance will highlight Takuma Itoh's "American Postcards: Japanese Picture Brides" with additional music by Erika Oba and Andy Akiho, woven with stories of women who spent time on the island.
*Exact time of the concert is subject to change based on ferry schedule changes
The event is free with admission to the Detention Barracks Museum ($5 adult, $3 youth).
This involves a fun ferry ride!*** Please check ferry for most up-to-date times.
DEPARTURE:
San Francisco: 10:15AM
TIburon: 10AM & 11AM
POST-CONCERT
return to SF: 3:20PM & 4:50PM
return to Tiburon: 1:20PM & 3:20PM
We suggest you visit AIISF’s website to plan your visit. You take a ferry from Tiburon or San Francisco. Then you bike, walk, or tram to the immigration station. The show times are arranged to accommodate the ferry schedules.
If you need extra help figuring this out, don’t let it stop you from coming. Email us at kathryn@delsolquartet.com.
June 21, 2025
Program: Exploring the Japanese Picture Bride Experience
A concert by the Del Sol String Quartet in partnership with Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF), with special artwork by Patricia Wakida.
Come explore the history of the Japanese Picture Brides on Angel Island with a musical performance by the Del Sol Quartet. The 45 minute performance will highlight Takuma Itoh's "American Postcards: Japanese Picture Brides" with additional music by Erika Oba and Andy Akiho, woven with stories of women who spent time on the island.
*Exact time of the concert is subject to change based on ferry schedule changes
The event is free with admission to the Detention Barracks Museum ($5 adult, $3 youth).
This involves a fun ferry ride!*** Please check ferry for most up-to-date times.
DEPARTURE:
San Francisco: 10:15AM
TIburon: 10AM & 11AM
POST-CONCERT
return to SF: 3:20PM & 4:50PM
return to Tiburon: 1:20PM & 3:20PM
We suggest you visit AIISF’s website to plan your visit. You take a ferry from Tiburon or San Francisco. Then you bike, walk, or tram to the immigration station. The show times are arranged to accommodate the ferry schedules.
If you need extra help figuring this out, don’t let it stop you from coming. Email us at kathryn@delsolquartet.com.
We’re partnering with Holiday River Expeditions to take a trip on the Yampa River. Join us as we float along the river inside the beautiful Yampa Canyon and perform concerts in some pretty amazing venues! Check out more details, and grab your spots.
Kobo Sessions are set in an intimate location, with a small audience capacity to offer deeper experience of music and culture from contemporary Japan. This event blends chamber music, sake tasting, and talks by Sake masters, accompanied by a bento box dinner to explore the sound and taste of Japan through a unique, interactive format.
Date: May 17th, 2025 at 6pm
Location: San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Barbro Osher Hall
Admission: $150 with Sake Tasting, $125 without Sake Tasting. Tickets includes chamber music program, talks by sake masters, and a bento box dinner by Hanaizumi Japanese Restaurant
Collaborators: Del Sol Quartet
David Sakamoto from Jizake Quest, Oakland
Yoshihiro Sako from Den Sake Brewery, Oakland
Jake Myrick and Noriko Kamei from Sequoia Sake, San Francisco
Todd Eng, Sake master, discussion moderator
Hanaizumi Japanese Restaurant
Huang Ruo’s beloved Angel Island returns to the Bay Area, this time with Oakland Ballet, featuring new choreography by Natasha Adorlee, Phil Chan, Lawrence Chen, Ye Feng, Elaine Kudo, Ashley Thopiah, and Wei Wang! Musically, we are reunited with Volti and conductor Dr. Wei Cheng.
Del Sol members Charlton Lee & Kathryn Bates will join UCSC musicians for an evening of new works, including compositions by Nina Barzegar, Michael Fleming, Dohyun Jeon, and Maisha Lani.
TICKETS - currently sold out
Celebrate the creativity, brilliance, and legacy of Cuban-born American composer, conductor and educator Tania León in a special evening featuring Grammy-winning violinist Jennifer Koh and Chamber Music America Award-winning Del Sol String Quartet. Jennifer Koh, joined by her long-time collaborator Thomas Sauer, will present the world premiere of León’s McKim Commission at the Library of Congress. In the second half, the Del Sol String Quartet will perform León’s “Esencia para Cuarteto de Cuerdas” (2009), performed on the Library’s renowned Stradivari instruments.
Pre-concert conversation with the artists
6:30 pm
Whittall Pavilion
Program
MAURICE RAVEL
Sonata in G major for Violin & Piano
TANIA LEÓN
Anima (2020)
ANGÉLICA NEGRÓN
Cooper and Emma (2020)
TANIA LEÓN
new work (2024)
REENA ESMAIL
Zeher (2013)
BEN JOHNSTON
String Quartet No. 4 “Amazing Grace” (1973)
TANIA LEÓN
Esencia para cuarteto de cuerdas (2009)
Join the Korean Community Center of East Bay (KCCEB) this Spring for a heartfelt event celebrating the rich culture and resilience of senior immigrants. Featuring original music composed gamin and Hyeyung Sol Yoon of Del Sol Quartet, this performance is inspired by the joyful stories and cherished memories shared by KCCEB elders of their homeland.
The exciting release of SPELLLING’s latest album “Portrait of My Heart”, the third SPELLLING album with strings by Del Sol.
Experience the live phenomenaon of The Resonance Between, as it returns to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
“The whole of nature come together…lifting your soul in pure joy” - News India Times
Voted amongst the Best Albums of the Year by Songlines Magazine.
A dazzling collaboration created by Alam Khan and Arjun K. Verma, the Resonance Between deftly blends the resonant splendor of the Indian Classical tradition and Western Classical harmony, with composer Jack Perla. Featuring Del Sol Quartet and Nilan Chaudhuri.
March 15, 2024 @ 12 PM (1 show only)
Program: Celebrating Women’s History Month
A concert by the Del Sol String Quartet in partnership with Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF), will present a concert highlighting female voices of Angel Island.
Highlight of important women who lived, worked, were detained on Angel Island or who helped save its history
Concert of female composers including Reena Esmail & Tania Leon
Art Installation curated by Andi Wong, including artwork by Flo Oy Wong
Children activities in the Hospital Building
*Exact time of the concert is subject to change based on ferry schedule changes
The event is free with admission to the Detention Barracks Museum ($5 adult, $3 youth).
Click here to sign up and attend the concert.
This involves a fun ferry ride!*** Please check ferry for most up-to-date times.
DEPARTURE:
San Francisco: 10:15AM
TIburon: 10AM & 11AM
POST-CONCERT
return to SF: 3:20PM & 4:50PM
return to Tiburon: 1:20PM & 3:20PM
We suggest you visit AIISF’s website to plan your visit. You take a ferry from Tiburon or San Francisco. Then you bike, walk, or tram to the immigration station. The show times are arranged to accommodate the ferry schedules.
If you need extra help figuring this out, don’t let it stop you from coming. Call us at email kathryn@delsolquartet.com.
As part of our residency at the University of Iowa School of Music, Del Sol will participate in workshops and talks with University of Iowa students and faculty. Sponsored in collaboration with UI’s Center for Asian and Pacific Studies
7:30pm Concert @ Recital Hall (2301 VOX)
Reena Esmail (b.1983, USA): Zeher (2018) (9')
Tania León (b.1943, Cuba/USA) Esencia (2009)(6')
iii.Agua de Manantiel (6')
Chinary Ung (b. 1942, Cambodia/USA): Spiral X: “In Memoriam"(2007) (12')
Huang Ruo (b.1976, USA/China): ANGEL ISLAND – Oratorio for Voices and String Quartet (2021, rev.2023)
i. Chinese Massacre of 1871 (8')
Ben Johnston (1926-2019, USA): String Quartet no. 4 “Amazing Grace” (1973) (12')
As part of our residency at the University of Missouri Kansas City, Del Sol will perform new works by UMKC student composers.
Viskamol Chaiwanichisiri (Thailand/USA): (re)Spark (2024) (8') *WORLD PREMIERE
Hang Qu: The Lament of Ancient Relics (7')*WORLD PREMIERE
Ian Y. Chung: For Stars Fell Asleep Too Song (2025) (6')*WORLD PREMIERE
Edmund Song: Marionettes (8')*WORLD PREMIERE
Yingting Liu: Keep in Touch (2025) (7')*WORLD PREMIERE
John Zhu: A Dance on Strings (8')*WORLD PREMIERE
Reena Esmail (b.1983, USA): Zeher (2018) (9')
Tania León (b.1943, Cuba/USA) Esencia (2009)(6')
iii.Agua de Manantiel (6')
Ben Johnston (1926-2019, USA): String Quartet no. 4 “Amazing Grace” (1973) (12')
Nebraskans! Join us for a night of music at the Lincoln Friends of Chamber Music.
Program
Shelley Washington: Say
Reena Esmail: Zeher
Tania León: Esencia
Huang Ruo: excerpts from Angel Island
Chinary Ung: Spirlal X
Ben Johnston: String Quartet no. 4 “Amazing Grace”
We are excited to announce Del Sol Quartet as one of Chamber Music America’s inaugural Ensembles in Residence! The Quartet will be presenting a program (TBA) as part of CMA’s Friday Festival event.
Admission to the evening performances, beginning at 8:00pm, is included with conference registration. Concert-only tickets are available for non-conference attendees.
Del Sol is honored to be a part of the West Coast premiere of Kendrick Scott’s multimedia project Unearthed. Combining poetry, visuals, string quartet, and a jazz ensemble, this moving work memorializes the Sugar Land 95 – the 95 unidentified Black prisoners and forced laborers found buried in the Texas town of Sugar Land in 2018.
Carla Kihlstedt and Del Sol Quartet will perform Kihlstedt’s 26 Little Deaths, inspired by Edward Gorey’s macabre alphabet book, The Gashlycrumb Tinies. Moving between art song, pop song, and cabaret, this hour-long song cycle captures the pathos, humor, and wit of Gorey’s iconic images.
Del Sol will perform a concert as part of our annual ChamberFest, including a new work by guest composer Shane Cook.
Program (subject to change):
Shane Cook: New Work (2024)
Ben Johnston: String Quartet no. 4 “Amazing Grace”
Reena Esmail: Zeher
Tania León: Esencia
We’re excited to announce ChamberFest, Del Sol’s annual chamber music workshop for adult amateur string players. In this program, we will explore the relationship between performer and composer and study the works of living composers. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome Shane Cook as our guest composer, with whom we’ll explore the vocal quality of string writing.
To celebrate National Angel Island Day
Outdoor pop-up with art, music by Del Sol members, and poets Genny Lim and Nellie Wong.
Meet at Willie McCovey Statue https://maps.app.goo.gl/YxjMo2p9Jqy31eWh9
In honor of National Angel Island Day, we invite you to enjoy a special virtual screen of Mitsuye and Nellie: Asian American Poets, hosted by artsed4all. Available January 21-27, 2025.
Register on the Eventbrite for the Free Screening
December 14, 2024 @ 12pm
Program: Korean experience on Angel Island
The Del Sol String Quartet, in partnership with Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF), will present a concert highlighting the Korean American immigrant experience in the Bay Area. The concerts will take place at the Angel Island Immigration Station Detention Barracks and is part of the first musical series Angel Island has ever hosted. Each concert of the series highlights a cultural group that immigrated to the United States through Angel Island.
On December 14, 2024, Del Sol violinist Hyeyung Sol Yoon curates a program that explores the long history of Korean immigration to San Francisco, from those seeking refuge from Japanese-occupied Korea in the early 20th century to more recent immigration taking place post-1965. The program will feature San Francisco-based Korean composer Jungyoon Wie’s “Han”, which incorporates traditional Korean lullaby and an elegy that represents the complexity of han, a feeling of collective unresolved anger, grief, and regret amongst the Korean people. The concert will also feature newly-created pieces by gamin and Hyeyung Sol Yoon inspired by the responses of Joy from Korean-American elders of the Korean Community Center of East Bay’s Jikimee Senior Leadership Program.
*Exact time of the concert is subject to change based on ferry schedule changes
The event is free with admission to the Detention Barracks Museum ($5 adult, $3 youth).
This involves a fun ferry ride!
DEPARTURE:
San Francisco: 10:15AM
TIburon: 10AM & 11AM
POST-CONCERT
return to SF: 3:20PM
return to Tiburon: 1:20PM & 3:20PM
We suggest you visit AIISF’s website to plan your visit. You take a ferry from Tiburon or San Francisco. Then you bike, walk, or tram to the immigration station. The show times are arranged to accommodate the ferry schedules.
If you need extra help figuring this out, don’t let it stop you from coming. Call us at 415 374 0074 or email info@delsolquartet.com.
Peninsula Jewish Community Center “Up Close Program” includes music by Derek David, Jungyoon Wie, and more.
The 60 minute program is followed by a “Meet the Artists” reception.
CANCELLED
Join us at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music on November 7 for a night of music by Michael Gilbertson, including the world premiere of his new piece for string quartet and ondes martenot, an electronic musical instrument invented in the late 1920’s.
The world premiere of Matthew Welch’s 50 minute String Quartet # 3 Terra Incognita
Program also includes the premiere of Eudimorphodon, Welch’s new bagpipe/sax duo with Dan Plonsey
From Matthew:
Terra Incognita is my monolithic treatise in harmony, counterpoint and structure. This minimalist tome was slowly composed over the course of five years. The contrapuntal lines of Observing Organisms grow directly out of the harmonies explored in Fossil Formations. My third work string quartet, this one is fashioned into two movements that are respectively slow (30 min) and fast (20 min). Terra Incognita is dedicated to my son Mason Reid Welch-Lueck.
"Ka-plunk Ka-plunk" A spooky historic tale from Angel Island State Park
When Fri, October 4, 9:00am – 9:45am
Join us at Angel Island State Park for a spooky retelling of a real newspaper story that happened in 1907 on the island. Learn about the "devil" of Angel Island that went ka-plunk ka-plunk in the night...
After a choose-your-own-adventure retelling of the historic tale, learn about the history behind Angel Island's quarantine station and its connections to the military and medical history of the time. With special musical guests from Del Sol Quartet.
Pre-registration is required: https://ports-ca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dFqqpmxZQt-TWWJw4H3k9Q
Join us in celebrating the Inaugural Cambodia Day, a music and culture festival presented by A Khmer Buddhist Foundation and Water Buffalo Pictures in partnership with Cafe Du Nord and Union Square Alliance. Taking place in San Francisco’s historic Union Square, this event unites the Khmer community to showcase Cambodia’s rich culture, arts, and music to a diverse local and international audience.
Del Sol will be performing Cambodian-American composer Chinary Ung’s piece, Spiral X: “In Memoriam” in the middle of the morning set, which will be between 10:30am and 12:45pm.
This is a free, day long event, with encouraged RSVP.
