Against the Tide
Sun, Nov 16
|Sangerhalle
Against the Tide explores the tensions of Romanticism and modernity through Shostakovich’s tempered innovation and Hovhaness’s passionate lyricism, two composers navigating their own artistic truths amid conflicting expectations.
Time & Location
Nov 16, 2025, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Sangerhalle, 1703 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77008, USA
About the event
In the mid-20th century, music, tradition, and innovation were often at odds, and both Dmitri Shostakovich and Alan Hovhaness found themselves swimming against prevailing currents. Shostakovich’s Third and Fourth String Quartets reveal an artist caught between the pull of modern musical exploration and the demands of a repressive Soviet regime. Though his personal voice leaned toward innovation and complexity, external pressures forced him to temper his expression, resulting in works that delicately balance conformity and subtle defiance.
Meanwhile, across the ocean, Alan Hovhaness embraced the Romantic spirit and spiritual lyricism at a time when American modernism favored dissonance and experimentation. His Second String Quartet is a heartfelt statement of individuality, affirming a deeply personal, emotive language that stood apart from the prevailing trends.
This program, Against the Tide, celebrates the courage it takes to remain true to one’s artistic vision amidst external expectations. It’s a testament to composers who carved…