AHEYM is an astonishing collaboration between The National guitarist Bryce
Dessner and
journeyman new music string quartet Kronos Quartet. Performing four compositions
by Dessner, 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 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.
Both the Kronos Quartet and Bryce Dessner’s work with The National have received rapturous press; expect major coverage of this unique collaboration.
For fans of the National, Radiohead, Aphex Twin, Animal Collective, Dirty Projectors, Sigur Ros