The album's title, "Home," reflects the Miró Quartet's artistic home in the United States, as all four featured works are by American Pulitzer Prize-winning composers.
Composer Biography
George Walker, one of the composers on this album, was the first African-American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1996.
Composition History
George Walker's Quartet No. 1, Molto adagio (known as 'Lyric for Strings'), was originally titled 'Lament' and written in memory of his grandmother, Malvina King, who was born a slave.
Performer Biography
The Miró Quartet, the performers on this album, first met composer Kevin Puts over 20 years ago when they were all young professors at the University of Texas in Austin.
Composition History
Samuel Barber's String Quartet in B minor, Op. 11, includes the famous 'Adagio for Strings' as its slow movement, which was later arranged for string orchestra.
Recording & Production
During the Covid-19 crisis, the Miró Quartet performed the world premieres of Kevin Puts's "Home" via live stream from their literal homes in Austin, Texas, due to concert cancellations.
Composition History
Kevin Puts's piece "Home" was inspired by images of Syrian refugees fleeing to Europe in 2017, a situation described as one of the largest refugee crises in history.
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