This has been the summer of late Beethoven 4tets. They’re a staple year-round, and they really are the most amazing creatures ever designed. But there was just something about driving through the hills last month to the sound of Op. 132′s “Heilige dankgesang” (mixed with the hum of my VW jetta)… I’ve been living in 132, 130, and 131 (and an occasional throwback to 74 – mostly for that mindblowing finish to the first mvt) for weeks.

Last week Alicia Doudna and her fiancé Andrew were in a very serious car accident in Michigan. Alicia is a beautiful violinist. She and I played chamber music at Kneisel Hall a while back, and I remember her contagiously fun spirit, addiction to chapstick, and love of the third movement of opus 132. They’re both still unconscious, but music has been played in the intensive care unit every day (including live Bach cello suites — go Mary Ann!). For the past week many of us who know Alicia have been playing and listening to music that reminds us of her.

Alicia, this is for you! (excerpt of Beethoven op132/III — the best part) Rest well, and recover soon.

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