To Love and Grief

Forest Collective presents an evening of music that explores the tumults of love and heartbreak, celebrates new life and lives well-lived, and acknowledges the transformations of self over time. Weaving a delicate balance of joy and sorrow, Richard Strauss’ Four Last Songs accompanies works by Benjamin Britten, commemorating 50 years since his passing. The program brings intimate solos and duets together with enriching works for large chamber ensemble that journey from Richard Wagner, Strauss and Britten to delicate solo works by Kaija Saariaho, Eugene Ysaÿe, Giovanni Sollima, and exploratory larger works by Pauline Oliveiros and Evan J Lawson. Inspired by philosophy, mythology and poetry, the timeless challenges of human mortality are untangled throughout these works, at times with wit and levity, and at others by stretching thin what separates us. Forest Collective's ensemble explores the tenets of musical language and time, using their voices alongside their instruments to curate this convergence of concepts. "To love and grief tribute of verse belongs… Both are increased by such songs” - John Donne