Featuring Awadagin Pratt, piano

Musical Program

Ludwig van Beethoven | String Quartet in F Major, Op. 18, No. 1: I. Allegro con brio, arr. Jesse Irons
Alvin Singleton | Time Past, Time Future
Ludwig van Beethoven | String Quartet in F minor, Op. 95: III. Allegro assai vivace ma serioso, arr. A Far Cry
Jessie Montgomery | Rounds
Ludwig van Beethoven | String Quartet in F Major, Op. 59, No. 1: II. Allegretto vivace e sempre scherzando, arr. Annie Rabbat
Paola Prestini | Code for String Orchestra, arr. Prestini
Ludwig van Beethoven | String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132: III. “Heiliger Dankgesang eines Genesenen an die Gottheit, in der Lydischen Tonart.” Molto adagio – Andante, arr. A Far Cry

Three new works inspired by poet T.S. Eliot’s lyrical meditations on time and humanity’s relationship to it are presented alongside four movements from Beethoven’s exquisite and profound string quartets (the very same which were said to have inspired Eliot to write his Four Quartets). Through the Art of the Piano Foundation, acclaimed pianist Awadagin Pratt commissioned seven composers—including Montgomery, Singleton, and Prestini—to create works for piano and string orchestra or piano, string orchestra and vocal ensemble, based on Eliot’s Four Quartets. Pratt, A Far Cry, and Roomful of Teeth recorded these works in Summer 2022 which will be released on the upcoming album Stillpoint, from New Amsterdam Records.