O'Connor's Trail of Tears
Evening Music | May 6, 2010
Mark O'Connor says he "felt a crushing emptiness" while writing his "Trail of Tears" for violin and orchestra, about the infamous forced migration of the Cherokee in the late 1830's. Steven Mercurio conducts the London Philharmonic with soloist O'Connor in this elegaic piece, which weaves European themes with Native American elements to moving effect.
Beethoven notwithstanding, Leos Janacek wrote his own "Kreutzer Sonata" late in life (responding to a request from the famed Bohemian String Quartet). Rather than Beethoven, however, Janacek took his inspiration from Tolstoy's novel about adultery, jealousy and murder (all coming to blows during a performance of Beethoven's "Kreutzer" Sonata — which gave Tolstoy his title for his book). Tonight, the Medici Quartet takes on Janacek's vivid musical exploration of Tolstoy's tortured characters.
Beethoven notwithstanding, Leos Janacek wrote his own "Kreutzer Sonata" late in life (responding to a request from the famed Bohemian String Quartet). Rather than Beethoven, however, Janacek took his inspiration from Tolstoy's novel about adultery, jealousy and murder (all coming to blows during a performance of Beethoven's "Kreutzer" Sonata — which gave Tolstoy his title for his book). Tonight, the Medici Quartet takes on Janacek's vivid musical exploration of Tolstoy's tortured characters.
