Haydn Class: Eastman School Live Musical Performance

All members and guests are welcome!

Coordinated by Victor Poleshuck

Alan Chow, the Chairman of the Piano Department at the Eastman School, will perform Haydn's Piano Sonata in E-flat Major. After Professor Chow, we will have a student string quartet from Eastman, the Lazuli Quartet, play the Op. 76 #1 String Quartet in G major (HOB III:75). It was written as part of a set of six quartets for Count Joseph Erdody, who commissioned them, when Haydn was 64 years old. They represent Haydn at his mature best, and the first, which we're going to hear, is considered to be a masterpiece of his late period. The writing is almost orchestral with dense thematic textures, and there is much interplay between all four voices (rather than having the first violin dominate and the other three instruments accompany).

[This sonata] belongs in the small group of true masterworks, a position earned by virtue of its bold harmonies, inspired lyricism, confident technique, and the stunning virtuosity of its piano writing. The first movement has a heroic, monumental character... The Adagio starts with a rhythmic pattern that continues throughout; this profound movement ranks high among Haydn's inspirations. The finale provides a happy cap to the proceedings, glinting with touches of humor and making exceptionally good use of pauses and silences.