In round two the notable nine led us down a garden path of delights in a sweeping array of Romantic quartets. Among these nine super contenders there is one to suit anyone’s preferred style. Though all eyes are on the prize, we audience members just want our string quartet appetites satisfied.
There were moments of intense beauty but not necessarily at its appointed place. What was meant to be beautiful was, at times, crushed by oblivious overplaying.
I was thankful to wake up knowing I would hear the Debussy Quartet twice. This quartet has a solid fan base.
The Noga SQ (France) reappeared in the middle of round 2 after being the first to play at the very first session 36 hours previously. With their Debussy, they reaped goodwill and approbation for three earnest performances from a more seasoned audience. It was real in origin and delightfully fluid in expression.
An asterisk goes beside these three remarkable performances:
The Atrium SQ (Russia) played the Tchaikovsky no.2 with careful reserve and refined sweetness. They move sparely and are free of superfluous gesture. Putting their trust in the score they allow the composition to speak for itself.
The Afiara SQ (Canada) was their polar opposite in presentation but deeply affecting in the very first notes of the day, Mendelssohn Opus 13. I worried at first that such intensity as they showed from the beginning would wear out but they tirelessly mined the artistic gold of this loving tribute to Beethoven.
The Peresson SQ (USA) with virtuosic authority gave a finely voiced Verdi e minor string quartet. Though individual in sonority the four came together with appealingly verdant result.
Any of the nine may appear on top three lists and with good argument.
Lots enjoyed the raucously fun Schumann Op.41 no.1 played by the Amaryllis SQ (Germany/Switzerland).
Quatuor Zaide had played it differently four hours earlier. I preferred their more classically scherzo version. Neither Adagio movement won me over.
Cellists celebrated Cecelia’s (Canada) bottom driven Quartet no.6 in f minor by Mendelssohn.
The Hausmann SQ (USA) offering of Dvorak Quartet no.14 in A-flat, Op 105 took full advantage of its wideness to narrate this rhythmically entertaining Czech tale.
In the final 45 minutes of round two, Debussy was played again by the Asasello SQ (Germany). I confess to feeling worshipful at that moment, so moved was I by both the music and the tender affection it was shown especially by cellist Wolfgang Zamastil and also by all that had gone before.
Round three takes place on Friday. Quartets perform the world premieres of Ana Sokolovic’s Commedia dell’arte, co-commissioned by CBC and the Banff Centre.
Listen here http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod and join me for comment and reflection.
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