Hosted by former Boston Globe critic Jeremy Eichler and drawn from his award-winning book Time’s Echo (History Book of the Year, The Sunday Times), this unique program blends storytelling and live performance, inviting you to listen more deeply to the history of music — and the music of history. The concert features works by Bach, Mendelssohn, and Strauss.
PROGRAM
J.S. BACH: Chaconne from Partita No. 2, BWV 1004
MENDELSSOHN: String Octet, Op. 20 Mvt. 4 (vsn for string orchestra)
R. STRAUSS: Metamorphosen
ABOUT A FAR CRY
Described as “Boston’s popular, brilliant, conductorless chamber orchestra” by WBUR, A Far Cry is known for its innovative and compelling programs, as well as the democratic process that drives that programming. A Far Cry was founded in 2007 on the belief that every voice deserves to be heard; so instead of one artistic director, the collective of musicians (“Criers”) curate and submit program ideas inspired by individual curiosities, the greater musical community, and what is happening in the world at large. The result is a dynamic representation of music and collaborators across genres and backgrounds.
The Criers believe it’s this core value and sense of curiosity and mission that led the Boston Globe to say that “even though A Far Cry has decisively established itself as a mainstay of the Boston musical community, something about it feels perpetually fresh with every performance.” A Far Cry has risen to the top of Billboard’s Traditional Classical Chart, been named Boston’s best classical ensemble by The Improper Bostonian, and garnered two Grammy nominations.
Last season continued the group’s tradition of musical storytelling. In each of its nine programs A Far Cry has sought to do its part in reinforcing the idea of a “world that listens.” Composers ranged from Bach, Beethoven and Mozart, to Shelley Washington, Paul Wiancko, Vijay Iyer, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, and a newly commissioned work by Jungyoon Wie. Additionally, A Far Cry continued its residency at Longy School of Music with three concerts, performed Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings on the Celebrity Series of Boston, and performed at NYC’s Merkin Hall as part of AFC’s 2023-24 residency at the Kaufman Music Center.
A Far Cry’s omnivorous approach has led to collaborations with artists Yo-Yo Ma, Simone Dinnerstein, the Silk Road Ensemble, Vijay Iyer, and David Krakauer, to name a few. Commissioning projects included Philip Glass’ third piano concerto with soloist Simone Dinnerstein, and The Blue Hour, “a gorgeous and remarkably unified work” (Washington Post) written by a collaborative of five leading female composers – Rachel Grimes, Angélica Negrón, Shara Nova, Caroline Shaw, and Sarah Kirkland Snider. The Blue Hour was released in partnership with New Amsterdam and Nonesuch Records, and was named a Top 10 Album of the year by NPR.
The Criers are proud to call Boston home, and maintain strong roots in the city, rehearsing at their storefront music center in Jamaica Plain. The group recently celebrated the conclusion of a 10-year residency at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Collaborating with local students through educational partnerships with the New England Conservatory, Longy School of Music, and Project STEP, A Far Cry aims to pass on the spirit of collaboratively empowered music to the next generation.
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