Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn: two prodigiously gifted musical siblings raised lovingly with the finest education, and yet bound by the restrictive shackles of the conservative Prussian aristocracy. Fanny was instructed by her family that her musical endeavors should always remain an ornament ... for her brother, Felix, a profession. The siblings would remain devoted throughout their lifetime; Felix celebrated as a great composer, conductor and pianist; Fanny quietly composing over 500 works behind closed doors. In this program, the music of the Fanny and Felix sit side by side. Fannys E flat Quartet brimming with a mature sophistication; Felixs Opus 80 Quartet overflowing with grief at the sudden death of his beloved sister.
The Five Pieces of Czech-German composer, Erwin Schulhoff sit between the Mendelssohn siblings. Schulhoffs works are gleefully ironic, and the Five Pieces are imbued with parody, dissonance and cheekiness. In the hands of the Chroma Quartet, prepare yourself for a performance of sheer exuberance and finesse.