The earliest scientists believed that discovering and understanding God's physical laws would enable them to elevate base metals into gold; likewise, the laws of learned counterpoint, it was hoped, would elevate earthly music to mirror the music of God himself. As musical style transitioned to the classical period, counterpoint became less important than the art and science of motivic development--using the simplest musical motives to create entire works. This program highlights these two approaches: Bach at the height of his contrapuntal powers; and Mozart at eight years old, already in command of the classical style.

Abigail Karr, violin
Yi-heng Yang, harpsichord

Abigail Karr and Yi-heng Yang met at the Taos School of Music in the summer of 2000. Since reconnecting in NY over a dozen years later, they have collaborated in many performances on historical and modern instruments. The Karr-Yang Duo has performed Mendelssohn’s complete sonatas for violin and piano at the Frederick Historical Collection in Ashburnham, MA, and at the La Grua Center in Stonington, CT, and has recorded and performed these works at the renowned Concert Hall at Drew University in Madison, NJ, with Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer Jesse Lewis.