'illumination rounds' performed by Ensemble 20/21

Curtis alumnus and world renown pianist Peter Serkin joins Curtis 20/21 and the Vera String Quartet to perform Arnold Schoenberg’s Ode to Napoleon, a work written in 1942 in response to the rise of authoritarianism and World War II. The program features other politically-charged works, including pieces by Curtis alums Jonathan Holland and 20/21 artistic director David Ludwig, as well as gripping musical statements by David Lang and Nina Young.

There will be a pre-concert conversation on stage with some of the composers of these works, as well as a discussion of the intersection of politics and music.