Steven Tenenbom (Orion Quartet) responds to questions: Why this repertoire? Why now?

By pcurchack on March 24, 2011

In this final 2010-2011 series of blogs on artists and their repertoire, Steven Tenenbom, violist of the Orion Quartet, answers our questions:

PCMS:  Why did you choose this particular repertoire for your concert?  Why perform these pieces at this time?

The Orion Quartet (Steven Tenenbom at far right)

Tenenbom:  We are pleased to be able to plan a program that fits into the concept of the 2011 Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts.  Pairing the two works for string quartet by Stravinsky along with the sextet of Schulhoff and Bartók's great String Quartet No. 4 allows listeners to experience the great divergence of the arts that was taking place in the first half of the 20th century.  Stravinsky's Concertino and Three Pieces for String Quartet focus on character, the Schulhoff is both forward-thinking as well as an homage to his Czech past, and the Bartók is a brilliant tour de force of compositional accomplishment unseen in string quartet writing since Beethoven.  This is a program that will please people on many different levels.  We hope you enjoy is as much as we will!

The Orion Quartet appears with John Dalley, viola and Peter Wiley, cello on Wednesday, April 20th at the Kimmel Center.  For tickets and information, click here or call the PCMS Box Office at 215-569-8080.