Aug

14

Beethoven Quartet Cycle: $0.00

Filed Under Popular Music, Classical Music |

pacifica-quartet.jpgI thought that occasional free lunches I got at some Columbia University functions were great. Better still were those sadly infrequent events which featured open bars (meaning cheap reds and whites, a few Miller Lites… Heinekens or Coronas when the stars are aligned). But hey, mama said knock you out: The Miller Theater is hosting a series of 18 concerts, FREE, held at the Philosophy Hall, through which the youthful Pacifica Quartet will be performing all of Beethoven’s quartets. Best of all, each concert is an hour-long affair held during lunchtime (12:30-1:30). Which means a Grosse Fuge before your Microecon exam! I will be going to all of them, and probably will be writing up each performance, despite my earlier pledge not to do any more concert reviews (because I am a liar). So see you there (bring a bottle).

The Pacifica will be performing one quartet per concert, from September to October, and from February to March. I like the concept, even the leisurely span of it. And one can’t really expect to squeeze more than one quartet into a lunch hour in an echo-y lounge of the Philosophy Hall which is sure to reek of greasy pizza and coffee, right It’s perfect. My only gripe is that the performances of the late quartets will be spread out over those long months. I don’t know about you, but I like to experience the last quartets as a suite. But did I mention the concerts were free

salonen.jpgpeter-lieberson.jpgThe rest of the Miller Theater Season looks really solid, too, even if they are not free. They are highlighting Esa Pekka Salonen (October 5) in their frequently great “Composer Portraits” series, although I don’t see that Salonen is making an appearance. But the exceptional Peter Lieberson will be present for an on-stage discussion following the February program; let’s just hope that Columbia won’t find a way to involve Robert Thurman into the discussion. (Those of you who are unfamiliar with Lieberson’s music, you can read a brief profile of him written by the always excellent Alex Ross here, and of his wife, the phenomenal - and much missed - Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, and Peter Lieberson’s Neruda Songs which were dedicated to her, here.) I’m sure I’ll also be going to the 10/27 Matthew Shipp concert and the 12/1 Christian McBride show.

Kudos to the Miller Theater staff for putting this season together.


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