Beethoven’s “Kreutzer” Sonata, one of his most brilliant and popular works, has an extraordinarily intimate emotional intensity, which serves as a primary plot point of Tolstoy’s controversial novella of the same name, by which the narrator is driven to murderous obsession. Janáček’s string quartet, premiered 100 years ago, reflects on the psychological drama and obsessive qualities in Tolstoy’s story. By intertwining these two landmark works with selected readings, this fascinating program dramatically illustrates the sources of artistic inspiration.
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Violin Sonata No. 9 in A major, Op. 47, “Kreutzer” (1802-1804)
Anthony Marwood, violin; Andrew Armstrong, piano
LEO TOLSTOY The Kreutzer Sonata (1889), selected readings Walter van Dyk, narrator
LEOŠ JANÁČEK String Quartet No. 1, “Kreutzer Sonata” (1923)
Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu and Kristin Lee, violins; Melissa Reardon, viola; Raman Ramakrishnan, cello
Concert run time is approximately 75 minutes. The concert will be live streamed for free on our YouTube channel. Tickets, complete program information including audio samples, and program notes, are available at pcmf.org or by calling (800) 320-0257.