The Philharmonic at the Library: Melancholy

Melancholy

Krista Rosenberg, violin
Elina Viitasaari, violin
Lotta Poijärvi, viola
Jaakko Rajamäki, cello

Samuel Barber: String Quartet No. 1, 2nd movement (Molto adagio)
Dmitri Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 8 in C minor

Two 20th-century composers, two string quartets that communicate the horrors of war.

Barber's musical language expresses inconsolable sadness in a haunting way, and the Adagio from his first string quartet was used brilliantly in the 1986 film Platoon . Based on director Oliver Stone's own experiences, the film depicts the horrors of the Vietnam War.

Shostakovich is said to have dedicated his 8th String Quartet to the memory of the victims of fascism and war. According to his son, he composed the quartet for all the victims of totalitarianism, while his daughter interpreted Shostakovich as dedicating the work to himself and said that the published dedication was dictated by the Soviet regime. The key of the piece, C minor, has always suggested tragedy. Regardless of whom Shostakovich dedicated his quartet to, the tragic atmosphere of the first and last movements is quite palpable.

The Philharmonic at the Library

Chamber music comes to Helsinki libraries as the The Philharmonic at the Library tour, organised jointly by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Helsinki City Library, begins on 2 November. The tour features 12 free concerts in libraries across Helsinki.