Join us for a live performance of chamber music in celebration of Public Domain Day 2021, the day when new works will enter the public domain in the U.S. The event will include remarks on the music, copyright developments in 2021 and Ohio State resources and events that promote musical works from 1925 entering the public domain for the first time. This event is presented by The Ohio State University Libraries.
As part of the Public Domain Project, School of Music Professor Mark Rudoff’s Janus String Quartet will perform rarely-heard works by Ernest Bloch, Louis Gruenberg and Erwin Schulhoff. These three composers of Jewish heritage faced various challenges and their stories touch on themes of emigration, anti-Semitism, blacklisting and identity. Questions about public domain, the composers and the music itself are welcome following the performance.
The Janus String Quartet takes its name and inspiration from Janus, the Roman god of time and transitions, presenting faces that look to the past and the future. Janus brings together rising stars Devin Copfer and Kelsey Shaheen with veterans Nancy Nehring and Mark Rudoff. They share the artistic mission of tugging on threads that connect old and new musics, and weaving those threads into the broad tapestry of the humanities.
Program, discussion notes and bios
This event is free and open to the public; registration is not required.
Per university regulations — Students, faculty, staff and visitors to all Ohio State campuses are required to wear masks indoors, regardless of their vaccination status.
