THOMAS QUASTHOFF | AMATIS TRIO | Humanity in War

History often reduces war to a collection of statistics. One forgets that behind every number, every nations-flag and each battle, there is a person who is someone’s child, parent, spouse, or lover. During the First World War, pen and paper was all that many had to connect them with their far away loved ones.

Based on these letters, of which an unbelievable 30 billion pieces were sent on the German side alone, Quasthoff and the Amatis Trio illustrate the humanity and personal struggle of those individuals behind the statistics.

These letters and diaries, paired with selected (late) romantic and modern music, reveal the greatest aspects of our shared humanity and mutual respect. They show that interpersonal tolerance, dignity and appreciation even among opponents are - and must be - essential cornerstones of our community. Since:
“In war, whichever side may call itself the victor, there are no winners, but all are losers.” [Neville Chamberlain]

Thomas Quasthoff | recitation

Amatis Trio
Lea Hausmann | violin
Samuel Shepherd | violoncello
Mengjie Han | piano

Texts:
Letters and diaries from the First World War, between 1914 and 1918.

Music:

E. W. Korngold: Much Ado About Nothing, Suite for Violin & piano, op. 11
II. Dogberry and Verges - March of the Watch
A. Webern: Three little pieces, op. 11 - II. & III. 1914
F. Schubert: Piano Trio No. 2, op. 100 - Andante con Moto
R. Schumann: Abendlied op. 85, No. 12 - arranged for piano trio
F. Schubert: Notturno in E flat major, op. 148

--- I N T E R V A L ---

D. Shostakovich: Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, op. 67 - II. Allegro con brio
F. Kreisler: Liebesleid
R. Schumann: Phantasiestücke, op. 88 - II. Humoresque [from Etwas Lebhafter]
A. Webern: 2 pieces for cello and piano (1899) - I. Langsam
Rebecca Clarke: Piano Trio (1921) - II. Andante molto semplice

Representation:
Helga Machreich-Unterzaucher
Managing Director
+43 (0)5 06 80-012
machreich@machreich-artists.com