Pictured (l. to r.) are Roy Whelden, David Morris, Cynthia Miller, Karen Clark and David Wilson. Photagrapher is Norbert Brein-Kozakewycz

Founded in 2005, the San Francisco based Galax Quartet provides an exciting variation on the sound of the string quartet. Modeled on late 18th century practice, the Galax Quartet, like its predecessors, is committed to seeking out new works from contemporary composers, combining them in concert with beautiful and essential works from the past.

Karen Clark has received international acclaim for her performances on prestigious festivals and concert series with the Joshua Rifkin Bach Ensemble, Boston Camerata, Sequentia, Pomerium Musices, Ensemble Alcatraz and the Waverly Consort. She has recorded music of John Dowland on the Erato label with Boston Camerata, music of Roy Whelden on New Albion and also appears on the Deutsche Harmonia Mundi and Dorian. Karen Clark holds degrees from the Indiana University School of Music and is Lecturer in Voice at Sonoma State University. She lives up on Wildcat Canyon near Berkeley, California.

The text from this piece comes from Beat poet Gary Snyder's epic poem, Mountains and Rivers Without End