New Season Musings: Laura

I’m sure I’m not alone when I admit that the first time I really took notice of Kronos Quartet was in their stunning work on the Requiem for a Dream soundtrack. For me, that movie would not have nearly the devastating resonance it did without their masterful interpretation of Clint Mansell’s compositions, among them the signature Lux Aeterna. Though I acknowledge that I can probably never watch Requiem ever again, great though it was, the soundtrack does get repeated airings in my household. From that gateway, I’ve delved into the expansive sea that is the Kronos repertoire, which has something for most everyone. If you’re like me (a person who likes her string quartets with a side of pop culture and is not ashamed to admit it), you’ll love their reimagining of hits from such popular music luminaries as Jimi Hendrix, Nine Inch Nails or Sigur Rós (their cover of “Flugufrelsarinn” takes me to a whole other realm). Or perhaps you prefer the minimalist sounds of Terry Riley, Philip Glass or Steve Reich – Kronos has got you covered there as well. Finally, their devotion to global sounds has taken them to places as varied as Mexico, India, Poland, Serbia, and Africa and resulted in collaborations that are often innovative, sometimes challenging, and always breathtaking. For these reasons and more, the November 4th recital of Kronos Quartet will be the highlight of my Portland Ovations season.