2008-09 Repertoire

“Folk Infusion”
Antonín Dvořák:  Quartet in F Major, Op.96 “American”
Leoš Janáček: Quartet No.2 “Intimate Letters”
Ernö Dohnányi: Quartet No.3 in A minor, Op.33

 The Arianna Quartet opens their ninth season of concerts in St. Louis by bringing together three of Eastern Europe’s musical giants for an unforgettable evening of electrifying folk-inspired music.  The ASQ kicks off the season in style with Dvořák’s ever-popular “American” quartet, one of classical music’s greatest hits!  Leoš Janáček’s poignant Quartet No.2, “Intimate Letters”, offers a reflective journey through a life of love, loss, and hope before the Arianna finishes this concert with Ernö Dohnányi’s unforgettably virtuosic Quartet No.3.  This is an evening not to be missed!  

“Epic Expression”
W.A. Mozart: Quartet in C Major, K.465 “Dissonant”
Arnold Schoenberg: Quartet No.2 in F sharp minor, Op.10 (1908)
with soprano, Stella Markou
Piotr I. Tchaikovsky: Quartet No.1 in D Major 

In their second series concert, the acclaimed Arianna String Quartet presents three of the most emotionally charged and moving works in the repertoire.  Following Mozart’s revolutionary “Dissonant” Quartet, the ASQ is joined by soprano Stella Markou in a rare performance of Schoenberg’s romantic Quartet No.2, a piece whose music and words promise a transcendent musical experience.  Tchaikovsky’s enchanting first quartet, a work known for its utter beauty and unforgettable melodies, closes this transporting concert.

“Storytellers”
Felix Mendelssohn: Quartet in E-flat Major, Op.12
Leoš Janáček: Quartet No.1 “Kreutzer Sonata”
Franz Schubert: String Quintet in C Major, D.956, op. posth. 163,
with guest cellist, Marc Johnson

The Arianna Quartet offers youthful exuberance, dark passions, and consummate serenity in their final concert of the season. After celebrating Mendelssohn’s bi-centennial year with a performance of his sincere and charming Quartet Op. 12, the program rushes to the dark side of romanticism with Janáček’s explosive and passionate Kreutzer Sonata, a musical depiction Leo Tolstoy’s story of passion, love-lost, murder, and repentance.  The ASQ then welcomes world-renowned cello virtuoso Marc Johnson to the Lee Theater for a performance of Franz Schubert’s momentous String Quintet, one of the crown jewels of the chamber music literature.  Known for its vast depiction of life, nature, and humanity, this performance of the great Schubert Quintet promises a memorable evening for all.