Hailed by The Strad as "a foursome of uncommon refinement and musical distinction," the renowned Shanghai Quartet will give a performance Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Alexander Kasser Theater. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $35.

Originally formed at Shanghai Conservatory in 1983, this versatile ensemble is known for passionate musicality, astounding technique and multicultural innovations. The quartet, Montclair State's artists-in-residence, stands apart for its powerful music-making and its deft interweaving of Eastern and Western music traditions. Members of the Quartet are Weigang Li, violinist; Yi-Wen Jiang, violinist; Honggang Li, violinist; and Nicholas Tzavaras, cellist.

In addition to Beethoven's "Quartet, Op. 18, No. 6" and Shubert's" Quartet in D Minor D 810 Death and the Maiden," the ensemble will perform the Montclair premiere of "String Quartet No. 1" by Fred Cohen of Music. Commissioned by Chamber Music America specifically for the Shanghai Quartet, Cohen's five-movement work is described by The Washington Post as "full of jarring, rhythmic moments that seemingly depict the explosive formation and demise of a star. But in between the turbulent sections lie two lyrical hymns that, in this quartet's hands, [are] lovingly fragile and epiphanic."

Cohen has enjoyed a longstanding, 15-year relationship with the Shanghai Quartet. "I'm delighted that the Shanghai Quartet, our illustrious artists-in-residence, have chosen to inaugurate this new performance hall with a program that includes a work from the Beethoven quartet cycle, which they recently completed in New York, 'Death and the Maiden,' and my 'Quartet No. 1,' " Cohen said. "Their program selection indicates the breadth of repertoire in which the Quartet excels--their dedication to outstanding performances of chamber music literature from all eras."

Cellist Tzavaras commented on behalf of the quartet: "We are honored to perform in the opening season of this beautiful new theater and look forward to the exciting growth of the arts taking place at Montclair State."

To purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 973-655-5112, go to www.ticketsage.com/montclairstate-website or visit the MSU Box Office located in the lobby of the Alexander Kasser Theater.