Dear Obermann friends,

Join us for a festive evening of live music as the Obermann Center welcomes an outstanding UI string quartet for your enjoyment!

The Conifer Quartet will present a dynamic program featuring works spanning from the classical era to contemporary pieces by our own University of Iowa faculty. To provide deeper context, the musicians will briefly discuss the history, themes, and styles of each movement before playing, and we will open the floor for an audience Q&A at the end of the performance.

We look forward to sharing this joyful and enriching experience with you! Please RSVP below to reserve your spots before April 24th at 5:00 p.m.

Event details:

• Friday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Obermann Center (111 Church St., Iowa City)
• Admission: Free and open to all. Seating is limited.
• Refreshments: Provided during the event.

Please note that although we have a small parking lot for staff, we are unable to offer parking to event attendees. There is free street parking available in the neighborhood to the north and east of the Center, and two-hour meters on Clinton Street, which are free beginning at 6:00 pm.

The Conifer Quartet
Yestyn Griffith and Hugo Kaut, violins
Kylie Little, viola
Celia Philips, cello

Program:

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)

• String Quartet No. 9, Op. 59 No. 3, 1808 (I. Andante con moto – Allegro vivace)
• String Quartet No. 4, Op. 18 No. 4, 1801 (II. Andante scherzoso quasi Allegretto)

Bedřich Smetana (1824–1884) 

• String Quartet No. 1, “From My Life,” 1876 (I. Allegro vivo appassionato)

Sam Young (b. 1975) 

• Medicine Bow, 2009, revised in 2025