The acclaimed Kronos Quartet has earned its beloved standing over 5 a long time of championing new music. Their performances are a dynamic mix of hovering melodies and complex rhythms, pulsating with power. Their recordings, whereas constantly partaking, additionally push musical boundaries and supply recent views.
A major transition has occurred for Kronos, as two longtime members, violinist John Sherba and violist Hank Dutt, introduced their retirement, efficient March 2024, after greater than 45 years with the ensemble. Happily, their legacies will probably be carried on by violinist Gabriela Díaz and violist Ayane Kozasa. Díaz is a famend violinist energetic in a number of modern ensembles in Boston, and she or he emphasizes how her expertise as a childhood most cancers survivor has knowledgeable her view of music as a supply of therapeutic. Kozasa, a founding member of the Aizuri Quartet, can also be an advocate for increasing the viola repertoire, dedicating her profession to commissioning and highlighting new compositions for the instrument.
This month, Kronos will current a stunning array of performances in the course of the tenth annual Kronos Pageant in San Francisco, set for April twenty fifth via twenty seventh. The three-day occasion will embody compositions from throughout the globe, that includes world premieres by Hildur Guðnadóttir, Soo Yeon Lyuh, Aleksandra Vrebalov, and Tsering Wangmo Satho, organized by Greg Saunier.
The competition can even highlight a efficiency of Mary Kouyoumdjian’s Bombs of Beirut, considered one of 4 items from the quartet’s just lately launched portrait album WITNESS. This album addresses vital historic occasions, together with the a centesimal anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Kouyoumdjian’s household’s plight in the course of the Lebanese Civil Battle, and the homicide of George Floyd. Layered voices all through the album mix haunting strings with narratives, typically recounted in English, at different instances sung in Armenian. Collectively, these items current a stark reminder that whereas humanity usually pledges “by no means once more,” such guarantees are continuously unfulfilled.
The latest members of the Kronos Quartet—Díaz and Kozasa—are entering into their roles throughout this vibrant spring, and we took the chance to talk with them about their journey with the group.
Kronos Quartet — Picture by Jan Gates
The Kronos Quartet boasts a wealthy legacy of musical innovation and advocacy for social justice. Along with your thrilling new platform, what are you keen to debate, study, and advocate for?
GD: Kronos has at all times prioritized collaborations with numerous voices from around the globe. I really feel extremely lucky to broaden my views via this ensemble and work alongside such outstanding artists. Every of those musicians and composers acknowledges the profound significance of human connection; they create music meaning to unite individuals. By performing these items, we purpose to encourage our viewers to domesticate curiosity and openness.
Having a platform like Kronos amplifies our capability to lift consciousness of vital modern points. There are quite a few causes deserving of consideration, and I’m notably enthusiastic about future initiatives directed in the direction of kids. By means of the ability of music, we will train children about kindness, empathy, and honesty.
AK: My pursuits have been notably piqued by how music can reply to the local weather disaster, serving to to light up the results of speedy environmental adjustments. In current months, a lot of my work with Kronos has revolved round themes associated to the setting. As an example, items like Tanya Tagaq’s “Sivunnittini” function a call-to-action, whereas Gabriella Smith’s “Hold Going” celebrates these devoted to discovering local weather options. Kronos serves as a conduit for gathering info, listening, and creating house for artists who’ve one thing profound to share.
At this 12 months’s Kronos Pageant, we’ll collaborate with Hardanger fiddle participant Benedicte Maurseth on a chunk impressed by the Norwegian panorama. This new creation, developed by Benedicte and composer Kristine Tjøgersen, options 5 Hardanger devices (three violins, one viola, and one cello) alongside recordings of animal sounds from Norway, immersing the viewers in a magical realm that highlights the significance of environmental preservation.
Gabriela, as each a famend performer and school member at Wellesley College, how has instructing influenced your efficiency fashion?
Having been on the school at Wellesley Faculty for over ten years, I actually cherish my college students. Even in circumstances the place they pursue careers outdoors of music, their ardour retains music of their lives all through their faculty expertise and past. Witnessing college students purchase new abilities and discover completely different musical genres is inspiring, and it is thrilling to see them sort out challenges and enhance with every passing week. I really feel as if I am studying alongside them with each mission in Kronos!
My college students remind me weekly of the profound position music performs in emotional well-being and the way practising enriches our lives. Regardless of their demanding educational schedules, they want music as a result of it transports us to new and delightful realms whereas increasing our views.
It is important for performing musicians to recollect the aim behind our work. It is not merely about reaching perfection or taking part in prestigious venues; it is about creating music to attach and talk authentically.
Ayane, after spending over a decade with the Aizuri Quartet, what beneficial classes will you deliver to Kronos out of your prior expertise?
After I based Aizuri, I aspired to create a quartet spirit akin to these legendary teams I admired—Kronos being considered one of them. It’s surreal to hitch this ensemble that I’ve revered for his or her relentless dedication to their artwork and their advocacy for brand new music and significant collaborations. My first encounter with Kronos was as a baby after they appeared on Sesame Road—a second that left an enduring impression. Throughout the pandemic, I began a kids’s present with Aizuri referred to as AizuriKids, impressed by that reminiscence. Now, returning to my roots evokes me to channel my power into growing Kronos initiatives for younger audiences, and I nonetheless harbor the dream of taking part in music on a TV present whereas interacting with puppets!
Kronos Pageant 2025 will characteristic an array of compositions from numerous cultures. How do you strategy performing works from unfamiliar traditions?
GD: A lot of the music we have been delving into this season is completely new to me—every day appears like an thrilling journey into understanding how musicians from completely different backgrounds categorical themselves via music!
Kronos has a deep dedication to supporting composers whose life experiences immediately inform their work. These compositions are genuine, reflecting the private narratives of their creators. I try to know the music throughout the context of the composer’s life experiences.
Not too long ago, we’ve got rehearsed with Peni Candra Rini, an outstanding vocalist from Indonesia. Though I had by no means encountered her music earlier than, listening to her sing for only a second revealed the profound emotion she conveys via her artwork. She articulates exactly how she’d like her compositions to sound, and whereas we might not have studied her traditions all through our lives, we uncover shared musical roots that allow sonic communication via our devices. Our objective is to signify these excellent musicians as faithfully as doable.
AK: Every new work begins with shut collaboration with the composer to know their distinctive musical language and intentions. It is a privilege to carry out alongside the composer for a lot of of those items. This collaborative facet is invaluable—being invited into another person’s world via their music is without doubt one of the best honors of being a part of the Kronos Quartet.
With a wealth of extraordinary mentors and viola academics who formed my musical journey, I now have the chance to study from and take in the music of established artists rooted in cultures and traditions completely different from my very own. I relish these probabilities to find new insights and ignite my curiosity.
In in the present day’s turbulent political local weather, how do your private experiences and engagement with present occasions affect your interpretation of Mary Kouyoumdjian’s music, notably in mild of your upcoming efficiency of Bombs of Beirut on the Kronos Pageant?
GD: The primary time the 4 of us collectively learn Mary’s piece, it was profoundly impactful. Mary’s composition poignantly captures the human expertise throughout wartime, respiration life into the narratives of her family members via her highly effective music. As I listened, I could not assist however replicate by myself father’s experiences; he was a baby in the course of the Spanish Civil Battle, fled to Chile, after which escaped once more when political turmoil arose there. His wartime tales deeply form my worldview. Whereas the horrors of battle and the hazards of energy are harrowing, they’re usually met with examples of humanity and kindness as individuals search to assist each other.
I’m grateful that Mary has shared her tales via Bombs of Beirut. This music is important; it ensures that tales of survival are remembered and conveyed. By sharing our narratives, we will foster understanding and development. Listening to 1 one other is probably probably the most essential reward we will supply.
AK: The atrocities addressed in Mary Kouyoumdjian’s work proceed to unfold globally. I’m grateful for the existence of this music, as difficult as it might be to carry out. It’s important to share items like Mary’s, as they unfold empathy and promote standing up towards violence and persecution.
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