Music in NYC: French Impressions Program of Debussy and Chausson at Aspect Chamber Music Concert

Music in NYC: French Impressions Program of Debussy and Chausson at Aspect Chamber Music Concert

Aspect Chamber Music presents French Impressions concert with Calidore String Quartet, violinist Grace Park, and pianist Gilles Vonsattel on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 7:30 pm at Bohemian National Hall 

Impression, Sunrise, Claude Monet, 1872; Pianist Gilles Vonsattel; Claude Debussy; Violinist Grace Park
Impression, Sunrise, Claude Monet, 1872; Pianist Gilles Vonsattel; Claude Debussy, atelier Nadar; Violinist Grace Park

The program explores the influence of French Impressionism and the interplay between visual art and music. Giving us the world full of tender emotions and breathtaking novelty of expression, the insurgent painters of the period such as Claude Monet and his circle of friends rebelled against the norms of the day in every form of artistic expression from art to writing to music. Unconventional in its methods and resulting artworks,  impressionism was a dirty word of that time.

When Debussy started incorporating in his scores unconventional scales and dissonant chords he was labeled by the critics as the proponent of “impressionism, the most dangerous enemy of artistic truth.” However, the composer himself adhered more to symbolism. Regardless of the classification, Debussy’s innovative scores immensely enriched the language of music and encouraged others like his friend E. Chausson to experiment with the sound and form.

The program features performances of Chausson’s Concerto for Violin, Piano and String Quartet, Op. 21 and Debussy’s Violin Sonata in G minor.

Program

Chausson, Concerto for Violin, Piano and String Quartet, Op. 21

Debussy,  Violin Sonata in G minor

 

Illustrated talk by Samuel Adams

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Treat yourself for an evening of exceptional music played by the amazing young musicians.

 

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Music in NYC: Bartok, Shostakovich by Ariel Quartet at Aspect Chamber Music Series

Music in NYC: Bartok, Shostakovich by Ariel Quartet at Aspect Chamber Music Series

Haunted Minds program of music by Bartok and Shostakovich on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at 7:30 pm at the Italian Academy of Columbia University; performed by the Ariel Quartet with the illuminated talk by musicologist Nicholas Chong

Bela Bartok; Dmitry Shostakovich; the Ariel Quartet
Bela Bartok; Dmitry Shostakovich; the Ariel Quartet, photo credit Marco Borggreve

Aspect Chamber Music Series continues its season with Haunted Minds program. Music by Shostakovich and Bartok will be performed by Ariel Quartet with the illuminated talk by musicologist Nicholas Chong. Chong will dive deep into the circumstances and traumatic experiences that made lasting impressions on the composers. While quite different at their core, those experiences influenced not only composers’ day to day life but also led to an inward search for inspiration.

Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8 included in the program is interpreted as a requiem written Shostakovich to himself. In the atmosphere of distrust and political scapegoating orchestrated by Stalin’s regime, Shostakovich came under criticism for the complexity of his compositions and its incomprehensibility by the laypeople of Soviet Union. Rightfully fearing for his life and liberty, Shostakovich wrote String Quartet No. 8 as a musical response to personal crises. It is full of references to his prior works and his musical monogram. The music by both composers reveals a lot about how the confrontation with darkness can ultimately lead back to the light.

Recipient of numerous international awards, the Ariel Quartet is well known to audiences around the globe for the depth of musical interpretation and its passionate performances. The concert on November 14, 2019 will surely be no exception offering a delightful evening for music lovers.

 

Program Information

Bartók – String Quartet No. 1
Shostakovich – String Quartet No. 8                   

 

 

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Music in NYC: Schubert Quintet at Aspect Chamber Concert

Music in NYC: Schubert Quintet at Aspect Chamber Concert

The ASPECT Chamber Music Series opens its 2019-2020 season of classical music performances and illustrated talks with Schubert Quintet on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 7:30 pm at the Italian Academy of Columbia University.

The concert features the Formosa Quartet and cellist Peter Wiley in Schubert’s String Quintet 

Franz Schubert; Formosa Quartet; cellist Peter Wiley
Franz Schubert by W. A. Rieder (1875); Formosa Quartet, photo by Sam Zauscher; cellist Peter Wiley

Composed in the last year of composer’s short life, Schubert’s String Quintet is recognized as one of the finest compositions in the composer oeuvre. By adding a second cello to the string quartet, Schubert was able to exploit dark and mellow sounds. The result is surely the most poignant of all his chamber works – one in which light and shade, drama and serenity are presented in constant alternation.

Composer, writer, and producer Misha Donat presents an illustrated talk about the music composed by Schubert in his last year. The concert features the Formosa Quartet and cellist Peter Wiley.

Schubert Quintet performance on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 7.30 pm opens the 2019-2020 Aspect Chamber Music Series season of enlightening concerts and talks.

Program

Schubert — String Quintet in C Major, D956; Formosa Quartet with Peter Wiley, cello

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