We not often invite the identical band again to the Tiny Desk. However the beloved Kronos Quartet, which first performed our workplaces 12 years in the past, is not the identical band. Three of the 4 members are model new: Cellist Paul Wianko succeeded Suny Yang; violinist Gabriela Diaz and violist Ayane Kozasa changed retiring authentic members John Sherba and Hank Dutt.
The newly rejuvenated quartet, nonetheless underneath the sturdy management of violinist and founder David Harrington, seems to be having extra enjoyable than ever. And it reveals in these vigorous performances of items which might be whimsical and socially acutely aware.
Neil Younger wrote “Ohio” within the wake of the Kent State shootings in 1970, and Wianko’s new association, with its jolts of defiance, reverberates disturbingly right this moment. An analogous urgency pervades Billie Vacation‘s staple “Unusual Fruit,” which Harrington views as “the centerpiece of American music.” The quartet association struts a melodramatic introduction that gracefully slips into the track’s languid despondency.
With over 1200 commissions of latest items and preparations, Kronos hasn’t misplaced its indefatigable drive to champion new music, together with that of Canadian composer and video artist Nicole Lizée. One other Dwelling Soul asks Kronos for greater than strings. The consequences of whirly tubes, groan tubes, bells and vocalizing, lend a playful really feel. The composer describes the piece as “cease animation for string quartet.”
Kronos closes with commissioned music from Indonesian composer Peni Candra Rini, who consists of the sounds of nature in “Hujan” (Rain), a chunk which, regardless of its relaxed groove, laments local weather change.
For over 50 years, Kronos has re-taught us hearken to music, opening our ears to sounds from internationally, frequently posing the query: What ought to a string quartet be within the twenty first century?
SET LIST
- Neil Younger (arr. Wiancko): “Ohio”
- Nicole Lizée: One other Dwelling Soul
- Abel Meeropol (arr. Garchik): “Unusual Fruit”
- Peni Candra Rini (arr. Garchik): “Hujan” (from Segara Gunung)
MUSICIANS
- David Harrington: violin
- Gabriela Diaz: violin
- Ayane Kozasa: viola
- Paul Wiancko: cello
TINY DESK TEAM
- Producer: Tom Huizenga
- Director/Editor: Maia Stern
- Audio Engineer/Combine: Neil Tevault
- Host/Sequence Producer: Bobby Carter
- Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Kara Body
- Audio Engineer: Josephine Nyounai
- Manufacturing Assistants: Dhanika Pineda, Alina Edwards
- Photographer: Bronson Arcuri
- Tiny Desk Group: Ashley Pointer, Josh Newell
- Sequence Editor: Lars Gotrich
- Govt Producer: Suraya Mohamed
- Govt Director: Sonali Mehta
- Sequence Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, Robin Hilton
