Chamber Music

Music is scientifically recognized to have a healing effect, whether for the body or mind or both. In this program of chamber music we hear multiple composers reaching for music as a way to process and heal from illness and grief, besides some pieces that are simply fun!

Beethoven was quizzical about the philosophical struggle underpinning his final string quartet, his Op.135. It poses the portentous question, “Must it be?” and answers “It must be!” Shorter and more conventional in structure than his other late quartets, Op.135 shows the sense of humor Beethoven retained even after a lifetime of health struggles. The Borromeo Quartet plays it as part of the ASU Visiting Quartet Residency Program.

David Popper was a pedagogical titan of the cello in the nineteenth century both in person and through his publications. His Op.66 Requiem pays tribute to a deceased friend through the expressive voice of a cello ensemble. Here one part is taken on viola by Luke Fleming who is joined by Jacob Fowler, David Speltz, and pianist Daniel Anastasio at Shrine of the Ages during the Grand Canyon Music Festival.

Similarly a saxophone stands in for one flute in the Rondo from Franz Doppler’s Andante and Rondo, Op.25. With remarkable purity of tone Christopher Creviston navigates the flute acrobatics on saxophone alongside Sabrina Hu and pianist Hannah Creviston.

Bengisu Gökçe melded the sound worlds of her native Turkey with the jazz chords she learned at the Berklee College of Music where she attended. The result was her first composition, Inspiration, played by her along with Grant Houston, Jay Julio, and Nicholas Johnson.