Darmstadt Kindergarten by Mark Applebaum performed by JACK Quartet

Darmstadt Kindergarten by Mark Applebaum
Performed by the JACK Quartet
JACK Quartet
Christopher Otto, violin
Austin Wulliman, violin
John Pickford Richards, viola
Jay Campbell, cello
Darmstadt Kindergarten was commissioned for the Kronos Quartet by the David Harrington Research and Development Fund. It consists of a seventeen-measure “theme,” composed in two versions: instrumental and choreographic. The instrumental version is played conventionally on two violins, viola, and cello; the choreographic version calls for the players to substitute silent hand gestures-lavishly described in the score-for their instrumental sounds. (In this regard, the piece has a kinship with Gone, Dog. Gone! and The Second Decade (from 30) which similarly end in silent hand gestures.)
The instrumental “theme” is repeated five times in immediate succession. During each successive statement one additional player is permanently removed from the instrumental group and instead plays the choreographic version. The hand gestures are executed at precise moments corresponding to the rhythms from the player’s instrumental part. Darmstadt Kindergarten is thus a piece that is partly about memory; the audience is invited to “hear” the instrumental material when later voiced by choreographed action. Music can indeed be expressed even in the absence of sound.
The title alludes to the famous summer music courses held in Darmstadt, Germany. For decades composers such as Cage, Boulez, Nono, and Stockhausen met to share their latest musical sounds and ideas. The festival came to be known as a hotbed of the most gritty, modernist contemporary music, stuff aimed decidedly at mature audiences and, as a consequence, sometimes lacking the ludic sense of play that makes childlike enterprise so appealing (and perhaps in need of rehabilitation). Commissioned originally for a Kronos Quartet’s children’s concert, I wanted to compose a piece that could appeal at once to audiences of varying age, experience, and affinity for levity, gravity, whimsy, and rigor, something worthy of a “Darmstadt kindergarten.” (Mark Applebaum)

[@machida5114]

so good!

[@michael_hall_viola]

Brilliant! This was so fun to watch. Major kudos on the memorization.

[@moyahenderson9459]

Absolutely wonderful! Kranischsteiner Prize for Professionals?

[@nelsonvillalobos8570]

Beautiful execution! 🎶 I would love to see you guys on Sessions Live!! ⭐

[@SideshowJosiah]

My brain was literally playing audio tricks on me. I have to say. Marc applebaum is one of my all time favorite music artists. Thank you for this video

[@thomasrosenkranzpiano]

Love this!

[@STFine]

Wow, as usual.

[@journeymancellist9247]

Incredible execution but why?

[@codascheuer8426]

Why not? It’s cool and interesting

[@maxsilva11]

Tell me you didn't read the program note without telling me you didn't read the program note