Russian composer Dimitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet no. 8 in C minor (1960) was dedicated in the score “to victims of fascism and the war.” Fifty years earlier, the Englishman, Ralph Vaughn Williams served in the First World War. He composed his Phantasy Quintet (which includes a second viola part, played in this performance by Jessica Pickersgill) in 1912, as tensions in Europe mounted. This concert stands as a memorial to those who have come before us.

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Phantasy Quintet

i. Prelude. Lento ma non troppo

ii. Scherzo. Prestissimo

iii. Alla Sarabanda. Lento

iv. Burlesca. Allegro moderato

String Quartet No. 8 in C minor

i. Largo

ii. Allegro molto

iii. Allegretto

iv. Largo

v. Largo