Departure and Discovery: New Directions at the Apex of Creativity

The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presented a trio of concerts from the world-acclaimed pianist Jonathan Biss, tenor Mark Padmore, violist Hsin-Yun Huang, and the Brentano String Quartet that provided audiences new insights into the forms of expression found in the late stages of the lives of nine great composers. The three programs were structured around the themes of "farewell," featuring work by Bach, Kurtág, Britten, and Beethoven; "waywardness," with music by Schumann, Gesualdo, Brahms, and Mozart; and "the voice of a visionary," featuring two works by Schubert. Together, the concerts highlighted the dramatic new directions taken and fresh discoveries made by these great composers while at the height of their creative powers. The series was accompanied by an interdisciplinary panel discussion featuring musical thought leaders Christoph Wolff and Allan Kozinn, writer Lewis Lapham, and behavioral scientist Dr. Daniel Gottlieb. A podcast series produced by David Osenberg utilized music and interviews to illustrate the ways in which composers' voices evolved into new realms in their final works. An accompanying Kindle Single by Biss is available online.

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