The concept of “X is the new Y” has long been used in culture, fashion, and art to suggest a shift in perception or a redefinition of tradition. It plays on the idea that something seemingly unconventional or unexpected can take on the role of the established standard. This dynamic formula highlights how innovation and reinterpretation can breathe new life into what we know, opening up pathways for a deeper understanding and appreciation of familiar ideas.
Applied to music, “X is the new Y” challenges the audience to reconsider how classical works can be experienced. It suggests that a change in instrumentation, texture, or setting can reveal hidden layers, redefine relationships, and bring fresh energy to compositions that have stood the test of time. This concert embraces this theme by juxtaposing different interpretations and formats of well-known repertoire, such as presenting Dvořák’s American Quartet—a quintessential string quartet—as a piece transcribed for flute and strings, Mozart’s Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, K. 493, Frank Martin’s Ballade and the world premier of Hannah Selin's The Soft Moon.
