Parataxis Quartet

Parataxis Quartet promotional image

Part of HANCHER’S 2026–2027 SEASON and FIFTY FOR THE FUTURE
Presented by HANCHER AUDITORIUM

Parataxis Quartet, led by cellist, music theorist, publisher, and Iowa City resident Joshua DeVries, lives up to its name. “Parataxis” is a literary term describing clauses set side by side without conjunctions. DeVries built the quartet around the principle.

Rhiannon Giddens draws from a 19th-century slave advertisement; Fodé Lassana Diabaté evokes the 13th-century Mali Empire through Mande balafon traditions; and Ken Benshoof reflects on the folk tune "Kisses Sweeter than Wine." Lu Yun sketches Taiwanese temple life, while tabla master Zakir Hussain assigns each string player a different rhythmic cycle—four, six, nine, and 16 beats.

Emelyn Bashour, violin
Ivan Suminski, violin
Magnolia Rohrer, viola
Joshua DeVries, cello

PROGRAM
Rhiannon GIDDENS: At the Purchaser's Option (with variations)
Fodé Lassana DIABATÉ: Sunjata's Time
Ken BENSHOOF: sweeter than wine
Lu YUN: Temples in Taiwan
Zakir HUSSAIN: Pallavi

Fifty for the Future website

TICKETS
Free and open to the public, RSVP required.

Registration opens Wednesday, January 20 on hancher.uiowa.edu/2627-fifty.

HANCHER EVENT PARTNERS
Bruce Gantz
David McCartney & James Petersen
John R. Menninger
Hazel H. Seaba
Joyce & Dick Summerwill Ventures Fund
Stephen & Victoria West
George & Carrol Woodworth

Saturday, February 27, 2027 5:00pm
Hancher Auditorium
Strauss Green Room
141 Park Road, Iowa City, IA 52242
View on Event Calendar
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Paris Young in advance at 319-467-4849 or paris-sissel@uiowa.edu.