Clash of the Titans: A When-Tchaikovsky-met-Brahms Night Out

Artistic creation is a double-edged sword — on the one hand, to create something truly magnificent is to channel some larger spirit — to get lost in service to humanity. On the other hand, when the work is done, the ego comes home to roost: “Will people like this? Is it even good? Am I wasting my life???” Given that latter edge, it stands to reason that feuds between great artists - folks who ought to recognize each other's genius - are an age-old institution.

One of the greats is that between Brahms and Tchaikovsky, and this Wednesday night, thanks to our wonderful friends at the Aspect Foundation, we’ll explore the evening it came to a head with a Groupmuse Night Out. It’s a little hard to imagine that men of their depth couldn’t recognize what the other had to offer, but they’d each spent years trash talking each other. Then, one night, they end up at the same dinner party. It could have been real bad, but luckily, Edvard Grieg was there — a famously good-humored composer who was every bit the creative equal of B and T, if he admittedly was writing music on a more modest scale. The slight Norwegian smoothed over all of the awkwardness, and the three allegedly had a great evening together.

It’s a treasured moment in history for us classical music nerds, and we’ll explore it in full with one of Aspect Foundation’s famous illustrated lectures that situate us in place and time — and then we’ll feast on the goods: Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir d’un lieu cher,
Brahms' Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 100, Grieg Sonata No. 3 in C minor, brought to us by celebrated virtuosi Alexander Sitkovetsky on violin and Wu Qian on piano.

Last, but obviously not least, tickets come with free wine and snacks — so show up on time!

Tickets are listed at $45, but we’ve got a generous stack for only $15 — a full 2/3rds off! Grab yours and have an amazing Night Out!

What's the music?

Alexander Sitkovetsky Violin

Wu Qian Piano

Attendees

Chen W.

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Connie H.

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Amir W.

Emily B.

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Mingwei G.

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Sarah W.

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Donal B.

Anthony F.

Jacob L.

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David K.

Curtis L.

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Hridi K.

Ariana D.

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Ece E. O.

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Adam R.