Chamber Music Series
FRIDAY April 25 7pm
SUNDAY April 27 2pm
Season Sponsor
DR. BRICE ADDISON
Concert Sponsor
Nancy Loncki in loving memory of
Lt. Col. Joseph Loncki, USAF (Ret)
2024 – 2025
We honor those who’ve served with a photographic montage of Great Falls service members past and present set to Mozart’s Andante.
The program also includes an
impassioned performance of a favorite Dvorák quartet.
Music can connect us across time and borders.
FRIDAY
Alliance for Youth
3220 11th Avenue S
SUNDAY
First Congregational Church
2900 9th Ave S
Cascade Quartet
PROGRAM NOTES
BY CHRISTINE SHERLOCK
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
1756 – 1791
String Quartet No. 15 in D Minor
K. 421
1783
II. Andante
6 MINUTES
Performed as a salute to those who have served.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s String Quartet No. 15 in D Minor, K. 421, is one of the six quartets he dedicated to Joseph Haydn, composed between 1782 and 1785.
As the only minor-key work in this set, the quartet is saturated with an expressive depth and emotional intensity that set it apart. The second movement, Andante, offers a lyrical and deeply introspective moment within the quartet.
In this movement, Mozart crafts a beautifully singing melody in F major, a relative key that lends warmth and serenity. The first violin introduces an elegant yet slightly melancholic theme, which is supported by the other instruments with gentle, flowing accompaniment. The movement unfolds with subtle variations, showcasing delicate dynamic shifts and expressive suspensions that enhance its poignant character.
Its elegance, expressiveness, and exquisite craftsmanship stand as a testament to Mozart’s genius in combining structural clarity with profound expressivity.
Abby Swidler
b. 189
Botanical Portraits for String Quartet
2020 –2023
15 MINUTES
i. Mimosa Tree
ii. Maidenhair Fern
iii. Moon Cactus
iv. Beach Rose
v. Ponderosa Pine
vi. Shooting Star
FROM THE COMPOSER
This piece is a series of miniatures for string quartet exploring plant-life. Each movement is a plant portrait informed by their habitat, texture, shape, color, smell, histories, behaviors and my relationship with them. I take in their existence with wonder and awe, that despite the extractive systems of climate change, they continue to grow. I view these pieces as odes of admiration and love for the plants. We have a lot to learn from their resilience, interconnectedness, fluidity, multiplicity, and wildness of expression. I hope these pieces will inspire the performer and listener to in turn feel affirmed in their own uniqueness and celebrate and care for one another and our planet.
Antonín Dvořák
1841 – 1904
String Quartet No. 13
Op. 106
1895
40 MINUTES
I. Allegro moderato
II. Adagio ma non troppo
III. Molto vivace
IV. Andante sostenuto. Allegro con fuoco
Composed in late 1895, Antonín Dvořák’s String Quartet No. 13 in G Major, Op. 106, stands as one of his final contributions to the genre. Written shortly after his return to Prague from his years in the United States, this quartet reflects a sense of homecoming, blending the folk-inspired lyricism and rhythmic vitality characteristic of his earlier works with the structural sophistication he had refined over the years.
I. Allegro moderato
The first movement opens with a bright and expansive theme, quickly establishing the quartet’s warm and optimistic character. Dvořák’s signature use of rhythmic drive and rich harmonic textures infuses the music with a sense of motion and energy. Throughout the movement, lyrical passages contrast with lively, dance-like motifs, creating a dynamic interplay between exuberance and tenderness.
II. Adagio ma non troppo
The slow movement offers a moment of deep introspection. A heartfelt, song-like melody unfolds in the first violin over a warm harmonic foundation, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing. The movement’s expressive depth is enhanced by dramatic shifts in intensity and harmonic color, characteristic of Dvořák’s later style.
III. Molto vivace
The third movement is a spirited scherzo, full of rhythmic playfulness and syncopations. Its lively, folk-like energy is balanced by a contrasting trio section, where a more lyrical and flowing melody emerges. This movement showcases Dvořák’s affinity for Czech dance rhythms, adding a delightful, almost whimsical quality to the quartet.
IV. Finale: Andante sostenuto –
Allegro con fuoco
The finale begins with a slow, mysterious introduction before launching into a jubilant and energetic main section. Marked Allegro con fuoco, the movement is characterized by rapid exchanges between instruments, robust melodies, and driving rhythms. A sense of joyous celebration permeates the music, leading to a triumphant and exhilarating conclusion.
Dvořák’s String Quartet No. 13 is a masterful blend of lyricism, folk elements, and structural sophistication. It reflects the composer’s return to his Czech roots after his stay in America, capturing both the warmth of homecoming and the exuberance of artistic maturity.
