San Marcos Philharmonia
San Marcos Philharmonia
Jonathan Babcock, artistic director
Music for 8 ~ Mendelssohn & Shostakovich
Sat, Nov 23
|Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd
"Join us for 'Music for 8,' a captivating concert featuring Mendelssohn's luminous Octet and Shostakovich's dynamic Two Pieces for Strings op. 11. Experience the brilliance of these masterpieces in an evening of extraordinary chamber music."
Time & Location
Nov 23, 2024, 7:30 PM
Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor Rd, Austin, TX 78703, USA
About the event
The concert features two masterful works of chamber music, highlighting the unique expressiveness of string instruments. First, Dmitri Shostakovich's *Two Pieces for String Quartet, Op. 11* introduces us to his early style, blending rich, brooding melodies with flashes of irony and tension, all characteristic of his later, more mature works. Composed in 1924-1925, the pieces showcase Shostakovich's talent for dramatic contrast and emotional depth, even at a young age.
Following this, we delve into the exuberance and brilliance of Felix Mendelssohn’s *Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20,* a youthful masterpiece written when the composer was just 16 years old. The Octet bursts with energy, lyrical beauty, and contrapuntal ingenuity, displaying Mendelssohn's effortless command of form and harmony. Together, these works offer a fascinating juxtaposition of Shostakovich’s introspective complexity and Mendelssohn’s radiant optimism, making for an evening of compelling contrasts.