For a century, the Coolidge Auditorium has been home to generations of great violinists. In our centennial season, we are delighted to welcome for the first time the extraordinary Anne-Sophie Mutter and her recital partner of thirty-six years, Lambert Orkis. A citizen of the world, Mutter has been honored by scores of governments and foundations for her artistry, her philanthropy and her many generous services to music in the 50 years since her debut with Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic at age 13.

Their concert offers sonatas by Mozart and Respighi, paired with the Fantasie in C major, a late Schubert masterpiece that presents daunting technical challenges for both players. Cast in a single 7-part structure, it includes a set of variations on the composer’s beautiful song “Sei mir gegrüsst.” Also on the program is a work for solo violin by the Iranian composer Aftab Darvishi, “Likoo.” Her composition is a new addition to Mutter’s impressive roster of commissions. In this not-to-be-missed evening, instrument aficionados will enjoy experiencing the glorious sound of Mutter’s 1710 Lord Dunn-Raven Stradivari violin, and in a nod to violinist Fritz Kreisler, the Library’s incomparable 1730 Guarneri del Gesù, which belonged to Kreisler.

Pre-concert Conversation with the artists