Originally published on November 14, 2013 on the now-defunct Best American Poetry blog. Republished in The Trouble Clef.
In my studio, I used to have portraits of my favorite poets hanging on the wall next to my desk. One day, I realized that most of them either committed suicide or subjected themselves to suicide-like circumstances (like Pushkin who was repeatedly trying to subject himself to a duel). How could it be that the most sensitive people who bring so much joy to others through their writings, would give up on life?
Suicide is still a taboo theme in our society. Yet, it daily kills more people than disease or war. Looking for answers, I came across the diaries of Sylvia Plath, who killed herself at the age of thirty at the height of her powers as a poet. My String Quartet No. 8 ‘Sylvia’s Diary’ is written in honor of Sylvia Plath.
World Premiere Info:
17 November 2013
Rochester (USA)
University, Kilbourn Hall, 3 PM
World premiere:
Lera Auerbach – String Quartet No. 8 “Sylvia’s Diary”
Ying Quartet
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