On Wednesday, November 20, Princeton University Concerts (PUC) will launch its Performances Up Close series, Live Music Meditation series, and Do-Re-Meet social events for music lovers with the PUC debut of the Isidore String Quartet.

PUC’s Performances Up Close programs invite the audience to sit alongside the musicians on the stage of Richardson Auditorium for an hour-long program, making for an intimate, informal, and schedule-friendly concert experience. For their 6 and 9 p.m. Performances Up Close, the ensemble will play works by Billy Childs, Henri Dutilleux, and W.A. Mozart.

Alongside these performances on November 20, patrons can also participate in a pre-concert Do-Re-Meet Speed Dating event at 7 p.m. at the historic Maclean House.

Earlier that afternoon, the community is invited to hear the Isidore String Quartet in a meditative state of deep listening at one of PUC’s free, un-ticketed, Live Music Meditation events in Richardson Auditorium. Meditation begins at 12 p.m., and guidance from Matthew Weiner, associate dean in the Princeton University Office of Religious Life, will begin at 12:30 p.m.

To close out their stay on Thursday, November 21, the quartet will head to Trenton Central High School to teach a master class for Trenton students as part of the Neighborhood Music Project, a PUC and Trenton Arts at Princeton partnership program.

“We pride ourselves on spotting emerging stars like the Isidore String Quartet,” said PUC Director Marna Seltzer, “so that our audience can look back and say they heard them at PUC first. The Isidore String Quartet is on the fast track. They have won almost every major competition for string quartets, and their approach is all about helping audiences rediscover the classics, as well as new works. They’ve programmed a thoughtful variety of work pairing a very recent piece by the living American composer Billy Childs and a fascinating work by 20th century French composer Henri Dutilleux with a forward-thinking quartet by Mozart. With audience seated around the quartet, viewing and hearing this ensemble from all angles is the ultimate ‘up close’ experience.”

Visit puc.princeton.edu for ticket information.