Prokofiev, Shostakovich & More

Chamber Music with Members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic

Experience one of Shostakovich’s most rhythmically intense and ambiguous string quartets. At times, it moves like a dense, anxiety-inducing fog, and at others, it feels like being chased by an angry swarm of bees.

The Shostakovich is paired with Prokofiev’s colorful World War II-era quartet, written after he was evacuated to the Caucasus Mountains. In the composer’s words, it’s “a combination of virtually untouched folk material and the most classical of classical forms, the string quartet.”

After intermission, the Frenchmen take over. Ibert unites oboe, clarinet, and bassoon in five charming, sprightly miniatures. Tansman, a French citizen of Polish and Jewish heritage, challenges four cellists with a contemplative movement and its more rigorous counterpart. And to close, Jolivet’s jagged, Greek mythology-inspired Chant makes the flute and piano wail, shout, and dance.

Come early and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine before the performance, starting at 6:30pm.

Program

• Dmitri Shostakovich — String Quartet No. 10 in A-flat major, Op. 118
• Sergei Prokofiev — String Quartet No. 2 in F major, Op. 92
• Jacques Ibert — Cinq Pièces en Trio
• Alexandre Tansman — Two Movements for Cello Quartet
• André Jolivet — Chant de Linos