DAHA’s concert of February 28th drew a large gathering to hear composer Carl Bettendorf and the Momenta Quartet present a program of string quartets focusing on two great Czech modernists, Leoš Janáček and Alois Hába, plus a contemporary work by Bettendorf. The compositions were introduced and discussed by the musicians and composer. Both Czech composers were inspired by folk music of their native Moravian region and became influential figures in the musical avant-garde of the early to mid-20th century. While Janáček achieved international fame, Hába died in relative obscurity due to Communist suppression of his pioneering microtonal compositions. Bettendorf’s more recent work, also microtonal, connected with Janáček’s featured offering, String Quartet No. 2, “Intimate Letters,” in personally expressing love's heartaches. The audience enjoyed a new concert format in the historic ballroom of the Bohemian National Hall, with informal seating and the opportunity to bring their own beverages while they listened to the beautiful music, in a special collaboration with Groupmuse.

This event is now available to watch on our YouTube Channel!