Once pronounced a 'modernist classic' by the composer Virgil Thomson, this challenging piece signaled the arrival of a major talent almost from the moment it was first played publicly.

Born in 1901, the pianist-turned-classical-composer produced works of stunning originality, none greater than her string quartet of 1931, which the Juilliard String Quartet will perform at the University of Hawaii's Orvis Auditorium Thursday night. It is perhaps unavoidable that the life and career of Ruth Crawford-Seeger - in this context, at least - would take on the character of a cautionary tale. Tickets: $24 general, $19 for students and seniorsĪlso: Meet the artists for a pre-concert chat at 7 p.m. Place: University of Hawai'i Orvis Auditorium On stageThe Juilliard String Quartet performs the rarely heard 1931 Quartet by Ruth Crawford-Seeger (right) Mendelssohn's Quartet in F minor, Op. Then again, old age could find you whining about abandoned goals and missed opportunities to Oprah. And what about that youthful desire you once had to make a mark on the world? Perhaps you'll be one of the lucky few to broker a harmonious compromise. 'Where is the life that late I led?' you might ask, with apologies to Shakespeare and Cole Porter. But even as the carefree, childless days begin to seem like ancient history, nagging questions assert themselves. And as ear infections give way to stomachaches and a thousand other emergencies, you quickly realize that doing it 'right' (parenting, that is) requires every ounce of strength you have. There are moments in the life of a new parent - after a long night spent consoling a baby with an intractable ear infection, say - when the enormity of the task of raising a happy and healthy child is nothing short of overwhelming. Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

Ruth Crawford Seeger by Judith Tick