In the realm of orchestral music that is both modern and accessible, the Kronos Quartet enjoys a rarefied position as one of the leading string quartets of our time. They are one of the world’s most loved and successful groups on Earth and apparently in outer space, too.

They will perform for one night only on March 1 in the Small Auditorium at the Macao Cultural Centre in “All Around the World with Kronos Quartet”, in what promises to be a thrilling musical experience.

Kronos’ performance will provide an experience that explores contemporary international culture in this Macau premiere. Expect a programme tailor-made and that includes music assembled from different parts of the globe and sounds from outer space.

Big with aliens

For more than 30 years, the California-based Kronos has pursued a singular artistic vision, combining a spirit of fearless exploration with a commitment to expanding the range and context of the string quartet.

Kronos has been redefining chamber music by performing thousands of concerts worldwide, moving gracefully among classical, jazz, film music and rock. It has released more than 45 recordings of unusual span, innovation and creativity including Tan Dun’s “Ghost Opera” and the haunting movie soundtrack “Requiem for a Dream”, building a deeply diverse repertoire that includes works by 20th century masters, contemporary composers and world-music icons.

It has developed an ongoing relationship with the world’s foremost composers and collaborated with talents, including Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Allen Ginsberg, Tom Waits, David Bowie, Dave Matthew, Nelly Furtado, Joan Armatrading and Don Walser.

The ensemble has also joined forces with many of the world’s most eclectic composers and performers, commissioning more than 650 works and arrangements for string quartets.

The Macau premiere for Kronos will feature a commissioned work. “The Sun Rings” is based on radio waves gathered from the far reaches of the solar system in a project for NASA – the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

The composition was based on the space agency’s 40 years of recordings of the universe and the electromagnetic signals from planets. The end result is an intensely creative piece that is more accessible than it may sound.

However the evening’s programme features more than just this space oddity. There are multicultural cross-over sounds ranging from the traditional music of Iraq to Iceland’s contemporary melodies and avant-garde tunes from Mexico. The journey spins on through Serbia, Sweden and Azerbaijan.

Long, rich history

This is a group that has earned its musical chops. Founding member, violinist David Harrington had sought to create something different with his chamber music in the early 1970s.

“I’ve always wanted the string quartet to be vital, and energetic, and alive, and cool, and not afraid to kick ass and be absolutely beautiful and ugly if it has to be,” he wrote on the ensemble’s website www.kronosquartet.org.

“But it has to be expressive of life. To tell the story with grace and humour and depth. And to tell the whole story, if possible.”

The group was born at an uncertain time, with Harrington leaving the United States for Canada to avoid the draft that sent conscripted men to fight in Vietnam.

“The war was still very present in everybody’s mind. One night I turned on the radio and heard something wild, something scary. It was ‘Black Angels’ by George Crumb, his musical response to Vietnam.”

“I didn’t even know it was quartet music at first, but it was a magnetic experience. All of a sudden it felt like this was absolutely the right music to play.”

And play they did. In fact, they have seldom stopped. Kronos has been responsible for creating 400 new string quartets, dwarfing anything ever brought to life by Haydn or Beethoven.

In their various guises and evolutions they have played at Carnegie Hall and La Scala. Dozens of recordings have garnered numerous awards, including a Grammy for “Best Chamber Music Performance” in 2004. Along the way they have brought music to an international audience in the millions.

As on previous occasions surrounding important moments at the Cultural Centre, the performance will be preceded by an art appreciation talk, “Living with New Music”.

Professor Chan Hing-yan, a renowned composer and the chairman of the music department of the University of Hong Kong, will host this free seminar in Cantonese in the centre’s conference room, an hour before the curtain rises on March 1.

Tickets are now available from the centre’s box office and Kong Seng outlets. The hotline for credit card bookings (853) 2840 0555. For more information, visit www.ccm.gov.mo or call (853) 2870 0699.

All Around the World with Kronos Quartet

Date: Tuesday, March 1

Time: 8pm

Venue: Macau Cultural Centre

Price: MOP140. Concession tickets

are available to CCM Friends, students, seniors and groups.