SCMS Winter Festival: Shostakovich, Janáček, Schumann

Seattle Chamber Music Society (SCMS) and Ehnes Quartet

Friday, January 25, 2019 @ 7:30pm – 9:30pm (PST)

Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA, United States

$55 ($20 students/30 & under)

Robert Schumann — Piano Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 47
Dmitri Shostakovich — Duets for two violins and piano
Leoš Janáček — String Quartet No. 1 "Kreutzer Sonata"

Dmitri Shostakovich – Duets for two violins and piano
Nicolas Kendall, violin / Nick Eanet, violin / Anton Nel, piano

Leoš Janáček – String Quartet No. 1, "Kreutzer Sonata"
Ehnes Quartet: James Ehnes, violin / Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin / Richard O'Neill, viola / Edward Arron, cello

Robert Schumann – Piano Quartet in E-flat major, Op. 47
Tessa Lark, violin / Rebecca Albers, viola / Ani Aznavoorian, cello / Anne-Marie McDermott, piano

With a distinctly Viennese sound, these extremely melodic Shostakovich miniatures also contain his typical harmonies, particularly in the final movement Waltz.

Inspired by Tolstoy’s novella, which was itself inspired by Beethoven’s Violin Sonata, Janáček's Kreutzer Sonata tells the story of jealousy and rage found in Tolstoy’s story.

One of the favorites of the repertoire, Schumann's Quartet for piano and strings in E-flat major features beautiful, lush melodies and strong contrasts between the piano and strings, hallmarks of Schumann’s chamber music.