42. Main Evening Concert

Pacifica’s final concert features American composer Frederick Tillis with his Spiritual Fantasy quartet. The composer has written of this work, The composition of the Spiritual Fantasy for String Quartet pays tribute to the essence of the musical expressions of pathos and triumph over worldly obstacles encountered by a people who found hope and strength through faith in God. Dvořák’s final quartet was begun in New York and completed in Prague, warm, generous, joyful music in the composer’s late manner. Shostakovich’s towering Piano Quintet opens with a Prelude and Fugue and a piano solo that clearly reflect the presence of Bach in a work that combines perfection of form with episodes of deepest pain, brilliant wit, uncouth barbarities and popular tunes.