03 Feb String Quartet No.3: Night Songs (Nachtliederen) (2005)

Commissioned by Kronos Quartet. Inspired by the life and writing of young Dutch Jewish writer and Holocaust victim Etty Hillesum (1914-1943)
In creative preparation for writing the quartet, Alexandra du Bois traveled throughout The Netherlands and Poland after receiving grants from The Netherland-America Foundation and Indiana University to travel in the footsteps of Etty Hillesum

World premiere: March 2006, Kronos Quartet, Dinkelspiel Auditorium at Stanford University, Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall (NY Premiere); Detroit Premiere: 2007, New Music Detroit Ensemble, Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit; Los Angeles and Hanoi, Vietnam Premieres: 2010, Southwest Chamber Music

I. Ontvouwen (Unfolding)
II. Lente en Zomer (Spring and Summer)
III. Stacheldraht (Barbed wire)
IV. Het Denkende Hart (The Thinking Heart)
V. Niet Verzonden Brieven (Unsent Letters)
VI. Zoeklicht (Searchlight)
(all movements performed without pause)

Score/parts available
Program note
Excerpt

Etty Hillesum’s former residence in Amsterdam

(All images copyright ©Alexandra du Bois)