This program’s title, Mozart & Stravinsky, sets up a scenario which might seem to be a contentious one; however, the music of Stravinsky and Mozart share many similarities. Both composers were supreme craftsmen who wrote efficiently, composed complex yet transparent, well-balanced works, and both had keen senses of humor provoking listeners with surprises. Mozart’s “Dissonant” string quartet shocked listeners in the 18th century with dissonances near the quartet’s opening that convinced experts at the time that the notes the musicians played were mistakes. Stravinsky’s Divertimento picks up on the lightning-quick possibilities of the violin and keyboard duo genre that was brought to its first real peak with Mozart.
Mozart & Stravinsky

Orion String Quartet (Photo: Andreas-Hafenscher)
Playlist
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Quartet in C major for Strings, K. 465, “Dissonance”
Orion String Quartet (Todd Phillips, Daniel Phillips, violin; Steven Tenenbom, viola; Timothy Eddy, cello)
Igor Stravinsky: Divertimento after Le baiser de la fée for Violin and Piano
Ida Kavafian, violin; Anne-Marie McDermott, piano