Festival looks into the various shades of “Classical” music at Harbourfront Centre

Pluck, Strum, Bow and Pick at Classical IV: Strings

July 27-29, 2012

TORONTO, ON (June 18, 2012) – Harbourfront Centre is pleased to announce our celebration of all things stringed, Classical IV: Strings. The three-day FREE festival (July 27-29) celebrates the far corners of classical music with performances, activities and more for the whole family.

Stringed instruments of all kinds take centre stage at Classical IV: Strings, where even the word “classical” is something to be plucked at: What is modern classical music? Why are some folk melodies and pop tunes called classics? And who gets to call them that? Can sonorous instruments from different cultures talk to each other?

What happens when you play a classical instrument but produce modern music? Or play a ‘classical’ tune on a more humble instrument? In short: So many questions, so much music. Explore the world of stringed soundscapes with virtuosi from near and far. Open your ears, drop your preconceptions and discover new and ancient music.

Highlights of Classical IV: Strings include performances, workshops, activities and more:

• Performances from artists including Masters of Mali featuring Sidi Touré, legendary sitarist Irshad Khan, the Lute Legends Ensemble’s blend of three Silk Road musical traditions into one new form and the Afiara String Quartet’s fresh take on the classic quartet;
• Calling all ukuleleists: The Ukulele Project invites the public to play along with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture
• Witness what happens when kids go From Violence to Violins featuring Yosvani the Violinist;
• …and much more!

For additional information and complete event listings, the public may visit harbourfrontcentre.com/summer or call the Information Hotline at 416-973-4000. Harbourfront Centre is located at 235 Queens Quay West in the heart of downtown Toronto’s waterfront.

ABOUT HARBOURFRONT CENTRE SUMMER FESTIVALS

Harbourfront Centre is an innovative, non-profit cultural organization which provides internationally renowned programming in the arts, culture, education and recreation, in the heart of Toronto's downtown waterfront. Our summer festival season runs from Victoria Day weekend through Thanksgiving weekend, and features over 20 festivals and events that offer The World in One Place. For more information visit harbourfrontcentre.com/summer

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Media Contact: Jon Campbell | jcampbell@harbourfrontcentre.com | 416 973 4655