The Left Bank Quartet presents a “Polish Revival” featuring musical works by two powerful 20th century voices from Poland and curiously, a sublime late work of Beethoven. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of his birth year, Mieczyslaw Weinberg’s music is experiencing a sharp uptick in interest revealing his strong connection to the Russian tradition, inspired by the spirit of Dmitri Shostakovich. The deeply nostalgic and quirky Quartet No. 8 serves as a foil for the music of feisty Grażyna Bacewicz—a woman who broke many “glass ceilings” in her career. Her Quartet No. 4 draws upon Polish folk music and incorporates highly innovative techniques that only a top-flight violinist could have devised. Another Polish virtuoso, Henryk Wieniawski, is credited, along with his superstar quartet, of singularly reviving interest in the string quartets of Beethoven through a series of historic concerts in London in the 1850s. You will hear why these virtuosos were so challenged and enchanted by these transcendent yet dormant works with the triumphant E-flat Quartet, Op. 127!

This event is part of the Year of Immigration, which aims to transform dialogue into impact on urgent issues related to immigration, global migration and refugees, and to foster open conversation and greater connection with the University of Maryland’s large and diverse international community. For more information visit yearofimmigration.umd.edu.