You're watching TMF's Krása Skyscape Project — Hawthorne String Quartet and painter Jim Schantz creating art together — during a 2009 residency at Skidmore College. This Project is the first fulfillment of Terezín composer Hans Krása's intent that an artist create a canvas live during performance of his 1924 String Quartet. TMF Executive Director Mark Ludwig learned of Krása's wish in an interview with Terezín survivor Eliska Klein, who was Krása's wife and the sister of Terezín composer Gideon Klein.

Performing here as Jim paints are HSQ members Ronan Lefkowitz, Si-Jing Huang, Mark Ludwig, and Sato Knudsen. Following this introduction to the Krása String Quartet are excerpts from pieces by Franz Schubert (No. 13 Rosamunde); Charles Ives (No. 1); and Elliott Carter (Fragment No. 2). At Skidmore, the HSQ served as Sterne Virtuoso Artists-in-Residence for a three-day festival of teaching and performance, Mark Ludwig lectured on Entartete Musik, and TMF presented a Yom Hashoah program. The HSQ has distinguished itself internationally by championing works by composers persecuted by the Nazi regime. More music is here.