Always one who enjoyed puzzles and intricacies, Johann Sebastian Bach delighted in writing (or improvising) complex fugues based on simple themes. Such was the case when he was presented with a theme written by King Frederick the Great of Prussia in 1747; Bach improvised a fugue on the spot. A mere two weeks later, he published his "Musical Offering" — a series of chamber works all based on the King's original theme (and, of course, we'll hear it tonight).
Also, today marks the 196th anniversary of Robert Schumann's birth; we'll celebrate with his String Quartet No. 1 in A Minor as performed by the Lark Quartet. Earlier in the evening we'll hear another String Quartet offering, this one by Franz Joseph Haydn. The Mosaiques Quartet serves up Haydn's Quartet in D, followed by French composer Jean Francaix's musical commentary in the "Eleven Variations on a Theme By Haydn."
Also, today marks the 196th anniversary of Robert Schumann's birth; we'll celebrate with his String Quartet No. 1 in A Minor as performed by the Lark Quartet. Earlier in the evening we'll hear another String Quartet offering, this one by Franz Joseph Haydn. The Mosaiques Quartet serves up Haydn's Quartet in D, followed by French composer Jean Francaix's musical commentary in the "Eleven Variations on a Theme By Haydn."
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