Stradivari Quartet

November 3, 2009 at 5:14 AM

Bartek Niziol and Xiaoming Wang, violins
David Greenlees, viola
Maja Weber, cello

November 1, 2009

Wentz Concert Hall

North Central College

171 East Chicago Avenue

Naperville, Illinois

Program: Four Stories, Four Strads

Franz Schubert Quartet in G minor, D. 173 (1815)

Joaquin Turina La Oración del Torero (1925)

Béla Bartók Quartet No. 4 (1927)

Intermission

Johannes Brahms Quartet in A minor, Op. 51, No. 2 (1873)

I am not a reviewer of concerts, but had to let everyone know about this outstanding ensemble.

The quartet was amazing in the truest sense. I could only stay until the intermission and so missed the Brahms, but what a tremendous display of ensemble, artistry, brilliance and passion for the music.

So accomplished, making technique secondary, this was all about music and artistry of the highest level. They switched from one work to the next instantly changing styles and characters of interpretation.

The instruments, all Strads, are magnificent in tone and the musicians brought out all the radiance and depth in combination with any degree of drama and subtlety of phrasing as required in the music.

I hope they come back, as this is a quartet I want to hear again.

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on November 5, 2009 at 5:11 AM

Greetings,

Drew, I took a look at their web site. I was really taken with the following which they call their `credo.`

>The musical story-telling style of the Stradivari Quartet is based on the belief that everyone and everything has a story to tell. All the anecdotes about the composers, the works, the instruments and the players are brought into one connected whole. The backgrounds of the various characters are illuminated in music and language, and with the addition of a present occasion a new story is created that forms a special bridge to the audience.

A marked contrast to the students who come to me. I ask `what are you going to play?` and they respond with `Book 4 no3.`:(

Cheers,

Buri

From Drew Lecher
Posted on November 5, 2009 at 5:32 PM

Hi Buri,

The wonderful thing about this quartet is the clear sense of story telling with incredible use of tonal colors/colours:-) The technical and artistic mastery were without question as the Stradivari Quartet went effortlessly from one work, period and style to the next. They did not leave the stage between works, simply taking a bow and instantly changing gears for the next "story."

We are trained to analyze and critique. I found myself frequently smiling and simply enjoying every note and phrase as they unfolded.

I believe they are coming out with their first recording this fall—Haydn Quartets. Should be very interesting as I can imagine them putting a very fresh light on those works.

A quartet to follow…

Maybe Laurie will interview them……………hint, hint, Laurie:-)

This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

Stradivari Quartet

Subscribe

Laurie's Books