Have You Heard? #8: David Harrington

Ahead of their 50th anniversary concert with us this week, we spoke to musician and Kronos Quartet founding member and Artistic Director David Harrington.

Having founded Kronos Quartet in 1973, David gave us an insight into the fiercely collaborative spirit that has underpinned the group’s career, the integral role of the audience in any stand-out performance, what fans can expect from their 50th anniversary tour and shares the music of Adrianne Lenker (thanks to a recommendation from his granddaughter!).

This year Kronos Quartet is celebrating their 50th anniversary – what has being a musician, and being with the group for such a long time meant to you?

Being a musician for 50 years and getting to work with so many wonderful composers and guest artists as Kronos has been able to do, I am so grateful to many, many people. And life just gets more and more interesting!

The more you learn about music the more you realise you don’t really know anything – you’re always starting over.

You get to play with so many wonderful people and you feel like you are learning a little bit more about humanity. You might not be learning more about music but you are learning more about feelings and sound.

The last time I spoke to Henryk Górecki, he said ‘I hope one day to figure out what makes music work’. And if Henryk couldn’t figure that out, the rest of us won’t be able to either – but let’s try ok?!

What makes a stand-out live experience for you?

Some of the best concerts we’ve ever played are when the audience is with us and close to us and you get the feeling an audience helps form the music by the way they listen and by what they’re bringing of themselves to the space.

I’ve been able to go to some wonderful concerts over many years… I remember hearing Laurie Anderson and just being lifted out of the seat – it was shockingly wonderful.

Can you share any recent artists you’ve discovered or that you’ve been inspired by?

So many of the world’s musicians are doing things that we couldn’t even imagine doing a few years ago – it’s a great time for music, a great time for audiences.

Just the other day, my granddaughter called me up and said ‘have you heard of Adrianne Lenker? I can imagine Kronos playing with her!’. Well, I hadn’t heard of Adrianne Lenker so I listened to her…and my granddaughter’s right! I hope one day to meet Adrianne and I would love to play music with her and see how what she does might be able to become a part of what Kronos does.

Kronos Quartet’s 50th anniversary tour includes several UK premieres as well as a number of collaborations, some with artists you’re working with for the first time. What can you tell us about the programme?

Just yesterday I was mixing a new reimagining of Sun Ra’s Nuclear War, by Terry Riley. Kronos has worked with Terry for the last 44 years and he’s found a new way of composing for this piece. It’s called Kiss Yo’ Ass Goodbye and it takes elements of Sun Ra’s recording, amplifies them and brings the world of Kronos into the world of Sun Ra. 

We are really looking forward to bringing that piece, and many others, to Bristol. This 50th year is a year to celebrate and think of our work as a launching pad for the future – that’s how I’m thinking about it.

Don’t miss Kronos Quartet in Bristol as they celebrate their 50th anniversary with us at Beacon Hall on Thu 18 Jan.

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