Although Beethoven’s Septet, Op. 20 proved to be one of the composer’s most popular and enduring works during his lifetime — much to his chagrin — the effortlessly charming qualities of the work shine through to this day. The piece is written in the form of a grand divertissement, a large scale work of about an hour in length that was fashionable amongst the aristocracy well into the nineteenth century, and includes such works as Mozart’s Gran Partita and Schubert’s Octet. Clarinetist and composer Jörg Widmann’s Oktett nods to both Schubert’s Octet and Beethoven’s Septet through biting parody and earnest homage. The work, cast in early Romantic forms such as the Minuet and a Song without Words, belies its seeming naïveté with its thoroughly contemporary voice that nonetheless remains deeply referential.

Jörg Widmann, Oktett | Beethoven, Septet in E-flat Major, Op. 20

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Although Beethoven’s Septet, Op. 20 proved to be one of the composer’s most popular and enduring works during his lifetime — much to his chagrin — the effortlessly charming qualities of the work shine through to this day. The piece is written in the form of a grand divertissement, a large scale work of about an hour in length that was fashionable amongst the aristocracy well into the nineteenth century, and includes such works as Mozart’s Gran Partita and Schubert’s Octet. Clarinetist and composer Jörg Widmann’s Oktett nods to both Schubert’s Octet and Beethoven’s Septet through biting parody and earnest homage. The work, cast in early Romantic forms such as the Minuet and a Song without Words, belies its seeming naïveté with its thoroughly contemporary voice that nonetheless remains deeply referential.

Jörg Widmann, Oktett | Beethoven, Septet in E-flat Major, Op. 20

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Inspired by Caliban’s lyrical soliloquy from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, this concert invites you to immerse yourself in the sounds and sweet airs of music inspired by the Bard. Two works directly inspired by Shakespeare’s play anchor the concert: Paul Moravec’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Tempest Fantasy and Thomas Adès' Court Studies, both of which capture the ethereal spirit and gripping characters of the play.

Shakespeare’s figure looms large in the latter two works. English Baroque master Henry Purcell’s fantasies for viol consort are close cousins with music of Shakespeare’s time. These works experience a new life in new arrangements by Oliver Knussen, George Benjamin and Colin Matthews in A Purcell Garland. Rounding out the program is Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 17, retroactively titled “The Tempest” — a name so given by early Beethoven biographer Anton Schindler, who felt the music evoked various characters of the play.

Knussen, Benjamin & Matthews, A Purcell Garland | Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 17 “The Tempest” | Adès, Court Studies from “The Tempest” | Moravec, Tempest Fantasy

More info & ticketing available soon!

Inspired by Caliban’s lyrical soliloquy from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, this concert invites you to immerse yourself in the sounds and sweet airs of music inspired by the Bard. Two works directly inspired by Shakespeare’s play anchor the concert: Paul Moravec’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Tempest Fantasy and Thomas Adès' Court Studies, both of which capture the ethereal spirit and gripping characters of the play.

Shakespeare’s figure looms large in the latter two works. English Baroque master Henry Purcell’s fantasies for viol consort are close cousins with music of Shakespeare’s time. These works experience a new life in new arrangements by Oliver Knussen, George Benjamin and Colin Matthews in A Purcell Garland. Rounding out the program is Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 17, retroactively titled “The Tempest” — a name so given by early Beethoven biographer Anton Schindler, who felt the music evoked various characters of the play.

Knussen, Benjamin & Matthews, A Purcell Garland | Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 17 “The Tempest” | Adès, Court Studies from “The Tempest” | Moravec, Tempest Fantasy

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Praised in its time for its refined craftsmanship, Mendelssohn’s first piano trio is one of the most beloved works in the chamber music literature. Robert Schumann upon first hearing the work likened Mendelssohn to a "Mozart of the nineteenth century" who "looks most clearly into the contradictions of the time and is the first to reconcile them." In this performance, each movement of the trio is interspersed with modern works from the far north by Erik-Sven Tüür, Wolfgang Rihm and Arvo Pärt, each reflecting the intimate lyricism and sleek muscularity of Mendelssohn’s trio. Nocturnal and shadowy hues are brought to the fore in this concert that presents two centuries of music in direct dialogue. 

Mendelssohn, Piano Trio in d minor, Op. 49 | Erik-Sven Tüür, Architectonics II | Wolfgang Rihm, Chiffre IV | Arvo Pärt, Mozart-Adagio

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Praised in its time for its refined craftsmanship, Mendelssohn’s first piano trio is one of the most beloved works in the chamber music literature. Robert Schumann upon first hearing the work likened Mendelssohn to a "Mozart of the nineteenth century" who "looks most clearly into the contradictions of the time and is the first to reconcile them." In this performance, each movement of the trio is interspersed with modern works from the far north by Erik-Sven Tüür, Wolfgang Rihm and Arvo Pärt, each reflecting the intimate lyricism and sleek muscularity of Mendelssohn’s trio. Nocturnal and shadowy hues are brought to the fore in this concert that presents two centuries of music in direct dialogue. 

Mendelssohn, Piano Trio in d minor, Op. 49 | Erik-Sven Tüür, Architectonics II | Wolfgang Rihm, Chiffre IV | Arvo Pärt, Mozart-Adagi

More info & ticketing available soon!

Praised in its time for its refined craftsmanship, Mendelssohn’s first piano trio is one of the most beloved works in the chamber music literature. Robert Schumann upon first hearing the work likened Mendelssohn to a "Mozart of the nineteenth century" who "looks most clearly into the contradictions of the time and is the first to reconcile them." In this performance, each movement of the trio is interspersed with modern works from the far north by Erik-Sven Tüür, Wolfgang Rihm and Arvo Pärt, each reflecting the intimate lyricism and sleek muscularity of Mendelssohn’s trio. Nocturnal and shadowy hues are brought to the fore in this concert that presents two centuries of music in direct dialogue.

Mendelssohn, Piano Trio in d minor, Op. 49 | Erik-Sven Tüür, Architectonics II | Wolfgang Rihm, Chiffre IV | Arvo Pärt, Mozart-Adagio

More info & ticketing available soon!