Concert Review—

Sensational Shostakovich & An Enjoyable Afternoon Recently With American String Quartet

By June April

Stirring, sonorous and sensationally performed, the American String Quartet’s performance of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Opus 110 was the highlight of the second presentation of this season’s concerts sponsored by Newtown Friends of Music. The quartet performed in Newtown on November 4.

The highly polished and talented group of musicians gave a masterful but rather lackluster performance of the Mozart “Hoffmeister” quartet, however. It was rather like witnessing a long-term marriage: solid and enduring, but lacking passion. The edge, that special energy that sets a remarkable performance apart, was not happening in what is considered one of Mozart’s greatest string quartets.

ASQ’s final offering, Antonin Dvorak’s Quartet in E-flat, Opus 51, was more spiritedly and impressively performed, with memorable melodies evoking smiles and strumming fingers throughout the audience.

There is a fine line between musicians physically and actively responding to the music they are playing and musicians who keep staid bodies while playing magnificent instruments and displaying little response. In the first case, gross actions can detract from the music. But when there is little response to the music’s beauty by the musicians playing it, then why not simply listen to an excellent CD?

For the most part, the members of American String Quartet were reserved, almost academic in their posture (style) of performing. Twenty-seven years of working together giving concerts and doing residencies can create an unspoken connection between musicians. Second violinist Laurie Carney was frequently watching first violinist Peter Winograd and violist Daniel Avshalomov.  Meanwhile, cellist David Geber seemed to be happily absorbed in his own inspired playing. There was unity in their execution and technical excellence in all that was heard.

The instruments, as indicated in the program notes, were all made by renown Italian artisans. First violinist Peter Winograd’s violin was crafted by Giovanni Maria del Bussetto in Cremona in 1675.      The deeper timbre of the viola was especially rich.

Made by Andrea Amati, the father of the illustrious violin-making family, the instrument performed on by violist Daniel Avshalomov demonstrated the depth of its velvet tones. David Geber’s cello was crafted in 1667 by G.B. Ruggieri. The joyous expression on this musician’s face clearly mirrors the pleasure he has in playing music on such an elegant instrument.

Each of these musicians has an impressive resumé and as a quartet they have won numerous accolades; the Naumburg award was won the year they joined together to form the American String Quartet in 1974. Two years ago, in celebration of their 25th anniversary, they gave concerts in 50 states, and managed to do two Europeon tours as well.

The group’s afternoon in Newtown was most enjoyable for its audience.

The reasonable admission for such notable talents is a gift and an opportunity that is brought to Newtown residents, and others, by Newtown Friends of Music. For information on future concerts including a special end-of-year holiday event in late December, NFoM’s email is FriendsOfMusic@snet.net. The group’s president, Ellen Parrella, can be contacted by calling 426-6470.