S.O.D. "Kreutzer Sonata", String Quartet No. 1 by Leos Janacek

5/5/2016     A Tolstoy composition inspired Janacek's composition (story) and a Beethoven composition inspired Tolstoy's composition.  Got it?  It is a four part piece that was written by Janacek sometime between October 13–28, 1923, a very short time for such a work.  As in author Tolstoy's Sonata, Janacek's is based on a poor woman who has been run down and tormented.  

     The piece is kind of unorthodox, as harmony, homophony and counterpoint that are common, are pretty much left behind, with sonic factors and Greek inspired modal inflections taking over.  

     Leos Janacek, 1854-1928, was Czechoslovakian and wore the hats of a composer, musical theorist, folklorist, teacher and publicist.  This guy did so much stuff, I doubt that he slept much or ever stopped thinking of new ideas.  In all, he wrote more than 160 pieces including operas, concertantes, chamber music, orchestras and a few other wonderful things.  The female violinist in this video is really kickin' it.