The Australian String Quartet opened their 2013 season with a concert devoted to the grand masters of two distinct musical traditions. With gorgeous interpretation throughout, the quartet continues to exemplify virtuoso ensemble playing.
The evening begins with Mozart’s String Quartet in D Major (K499) which the quartet performs with beauty and balance, allowing the genius of the composition to come to the fore. With all the restraint of an Austen novel, the players ornament and accentuate using only a fine touch so that the natural splendor of the piece is not obscured by gaudy additions.
Next up is Louis Andriessen’s 1970’s work Facing Death. In stark stylistic contrast with the Mozart, this piece starts with a series of complicated phrases taken from the be-bop classic Ornithology. Andriessen was strongly inspired by the sophisticated jazz sounds of Davis, Monk, Gillespie and especially Charlie Parker. Facing Death explores the question of what can be done with be-bop ideas in the unfamiliar surrounds of a string quartet and it turns out the answer is quite a lot.
A full escape from the string world would be impossible as no matter how perfectly syncopated and accented a be-bop line is, when played on a violin it is still reminiscent of The Lark Ascending. But rather than trying to escape, Andriessen is instead bringing a new musical tradition into focus through the prism of an older one. Though unusually influenced, the piece is still strongly rooted in western chamber music. It calls for the same unity and balance, the same ability for each part to move between soloistic and ensemble playing, and above all it calls for virtuosic skill from all the performers.
All of these demands are more than met by the quartet throughout the concert. Kristian Winther and Anne Horton are both excellent on violin. Stephen King delivers some fabulous melodic moments on viola. Working expertly with both violin and cello he also provides that pivotal point between the parts either side of him. Michelle Wood is standing in on cello for an injured Rachel Johnston but she fits in so seamlessly it’s like she always plays with the group.
The concert finishes by returning to the classics with Brahms’ String Quartet in A Minor. Like much of Brahms’ work, this piece wavers in uncertain emotional territory. Phrases that begin happily stall and get lost in anxiety. Melancholy somehow resolves itself into joy or peace. Though perhaps technically less demanding than the previous work, Brahms requires extremely high levels of concentration and shared musical understanding. All four performers must work constantly at their best to evoke all that is possible from the notes on the page. Even back in the balcony of the Adelaide Town Hall, we are caught up in the players’ excitement as they succeed.
Tackling such a variety of music so ably, this is an ensemble capable of rich depths but also of great breadth. The Australian String Quartet has begun 2013 is spectacular fashion.
Rating: 4 ½ stars out of 5
Australian String Quartet – Brahms
Kristian Winther – violin
Anne Horton – violin
Stephen King – viola
Michelle Wood – cello
MOZART: String Quartet in D Major (K499)
ANDRIESSEN: Facing Death
BRAHMS: String Quartet in A Minor
Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide
6 March
Adelaide Festival 2013
www.adelaidefestival.com.au
1 – 17 March
