Point of Departure

This program explores moments when composers stepped beyond the familiar to chart new artistic territory. Anton Webern’s Langsamer Satz reveals a lyrical, late-Romantic voice rarely associated with his later atonal work. Ken Benshoof’s Sweeter Than Wine blends classical form with American folk and jazz, creating music that feels both intimate and fresh. Eleanor Alberga’s String Quartet No. 2 bursts with rhythmic drive and bold contrasts, drawing on African-Caribbean roots. Prokofiev’s String Quartet No. 2, written during wartime exile, transforms folk melodies into something strikingly original.

Each piece reflects a turning point - a departure from the expected - inviting listeners to experience the spirit of creative risk and reinvention.

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