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Mendelssohn’s Octet
April 22 @ 8:00 pm
$20 – $65
Four violins, two violas, and two cellos unite for arguably one of the greatest pieces of chamber music ever written. The Octet, completed when Mendelssohn was just 16 years old, zips and swirls with virtuosic intensity—particularly in its famous Scherzo, inspired by the great German classic Faust by Goethe. “It’s not just its verve but its voice that is so remarkable. The depth of feeling, the humanity, the craftsmanship, the sheer giving of pleasure are all pure Mendelssohn, already there” (Los Angeles Times).
In the first half of the night, LA Phil musicians guide us through an intimate journey from Armenia to Denmark. Arutiunian’s Armenian pride shines through in his trio suite. Its melodies meander through scenes of tension and gloom in the first half, and as the piece progresses, the musicians show off the colorful dance rhythms commonly heard in Armenian folk music.
Nielsen, a country boy born into a peasant family, channels the rustic spirit of his Danish upbringing in the G-minor string quartet. While it was written early in his career, the quartet is just as sophisticated and passionate as one would expect from the nation’s most accomplished composer.
Program
ARUTIUNIAN Suite (for clarinet, violin, and piano)
NIELSEN String Quartet No.1, Op.13
MENDELSSOHN String Octet, Op.20