Composing in the Face of Death

As paradoxical as it may seem, the Czech composer Viktor Ullmann, who was deported to Theresienstadt by the Nazis because of his Jewish origins, experienced a tremendous surge of creativity in the camp. He also composed his expressive Third String Quartet there. Like his countryman, Erwin Schulhoff, Ullmann did not survive his internment. Schulhoff’s Five Pieces for String Quartet are saucy dances from happy days. Ullmann and Schulhoff grew up in the Austro-Hapsburgian musical tradition influenced by Franz Schubert, whose celebrated string quartet “Death and the Maiden” will also be heard.

Simon Roturier violin

Angelo de Leo violin

Micha Afkham viola

Bruno Delepelaire cello