BETA Quartet is presenting their newest program, Anthems of Dialogue, at Blackwood Arts in Harrisville, PA this Sunday, June 22nd at 2 PM. This program features three newly commissioned flute quartets, each reflecting on the times we are currently living in. The goal of this music is to explore music’s capacity to foster connection, inspire empathy, and spark meaningful conversation.
BETA Quartet, currently in their 9th season, is comprised of flutists Tatiana Cassetta, Eftihia Arkoudis, Meg Brennan, and Cassandra Eisenreich. This program was created in response to a world marked by division, conflict, and uncertainty. BETA commissioned three visionary composers for this project: Erin Spencer, Caroline Davis, and José Valentino Ruiz.
“Borrowed Earth” by Spencer explores the connection between our actions today and their impact on future generations. Inspired by the quote “we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children” this piece invites listeners to reflect on how we care for our planet, quoting familiar lullabies to evoke a sense of promise and hope to future generations. As dissonance and haunting harmonies creep in, we are reminded of the growing challenges in the world. There is a section where the alto flute detunes their instrument, symbolizing a deliberate choice to disconnect from the harsh realities portrayed in the news and world events.
“| anti-oppressive | absolute zero | revoluliberation |” by Davis explores the journey from oppression to liberation. The first movement captures the feeling of being trapped, inspired by the composer’s visits to prisons, where the flutes use a percussive technique to represent the slamming of cell doors. The second movement imagines reaching absolute zero, where atoms stop moving completely. In the final movement, the rhythms spell out “free them all” in tap code, a form of communication used by those on the inside. This is a call for freedom.
“Power Surge” by Valentino Ruiz is an electric work that reflects some challenges faced today through complex polyrhythms. The unpredictability mirrors life’s twists and turns, ending with an epic conclusion representing resilience, understanding, and dialogue.
Each piece is a vessel carrying something raw and deeply human. No work in this program sits quietly in the background. They invite the audience to confront what it means to be alive—to feel, to question, and to connect with one another.
Get your tickets for Sunday’s performance at www.blackwoodarts.org. Anthems of Dialogue represents BETA Quartet’s deep commitment to commissioning new works, elevating diverse artistic voices, and presenting music that speaks to our moment in history.
If you’re not in the Pittsburgh area, BETA will be presenting these works at the NFA convention this August in Atlanta, GA! Visit www.betaquartet.com for more information.