Aheym is an astonishing collaboration between The National guitarist Bryce Dessner and journeyman new music string quartet the Kronos Quartet.
Performing four compositions by Dessner, the Kronos Quartet champion an exciting young composer, continuing a history of presenting new and important works and composers that stretches back to their founding in 1973. Dessner has a history of composition that predates his membership in the National, and represents a new generation who are blurring the lines between rock and contemporary classical music. From the raw emotional overtones of Aheym to the soaring choral crescendo – courtesy of the Brooklyn Youth Chorus – on Tour Eiffel, Bryce Dessner's music for the Kronos Quartet will delight longtime followers of Kronos' work with Steve Reich, Philip Glass and others, and will challenge and surprise The National's many fans. At the close of day, Aheym addresses many of the same aches and dreams as the music of The National, and it is the breaking down of these artificial barriers of genre and performance that Bryce Dessner has made a life's work.
Along with the beautiful and haunting work of the Kronos Quartet, Aheym features appearances from Bryce Dessner, Sufjan Stevens, and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus.
