At 53, the Kronos Quartet has a vast catalog of music of our time. On Tuesday (Sept. 29), the Kronos opened the Chamber Music Cincinnati season with a thought-provoking, compelling and sometimes humorous program in Memorial Hall. Each piece on their substantial program of 10 works (and two encores) was written or arranged for the quartet.

The summit of the evening was Philip Glass’ String Quartet No. 5, written in 1991 for the Kronos, a nod to the close relationship the quartet has had with Glass, now in his 90th birthday season.

Founding violinist David Harrington was joined by his new colleagues Gabriela Díaz (violin), Ayane Kozasa (viola) and Paul Wiancko (cello). Memorial Hall was packed with longtime fans of the quartet, as well as students, some of whom had studied with Kozasa at CCM. True to their commitment to education and mentoring, they had spent time working with young musicians at Walnut Hills High School.

As is usual in the quartet’s groundbreaking programs, selections were enhanced by video and sound, performed by Brian H. Scott (lighting designer) and Scott Fraser (sound designer). Several pieces were accompanied by historical footage or black-and-white newsreels. Their instruments were amplified, which enabled the musicians to create ethereal soundscapes.Read More »