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SEEN AND HEARD UK CONCERT REVIEW
Zemlinsky and Ravel:
Cavaleri Quartet (Anna Harpham and Ciaran McCabe (violins), Ann Beilby
(viola), Rowena Calvert (cello), St Martin–in–the–Fields, London, 12.11.2010 (BBr)
Zemlinsky:
String Quartet No.4, Suite, op.25 (1936)
Ravel:
String Quartet in F (1902/1903)
The Cavaleri Quartet is the new name for what was the Harpham Quartet, but we
can rest assured that a change in name has not, in any way, compromised the
young musican’s music making. It’s good to see so youthful an ensemble looking
at less obvious repertoire for concerts. Recently, at the Malcolm Arnold
Festival, they played William Alwyn’s
1st,
and Arnold’s, magnificent,
2nd
Quartets.
And now we’re presented with this rather naughty but nice recital.
The
4th
Quartet
was one of the final works Zemlinsky wrote in Europe, before leaving for
America and, undeserved, obscurity. Dedicated to the memeory of Alban Berg and
consisting of six movements, as does Berg’s
Lyric Suite,
this is a capricious work, never settling down, always on the move, nervous
and energetic; this is no easy listen. The Cavaleri Quartet had the measure of
the work and gave a performance full of subtle shadings and wild imaginings.
The final
Double Fugue
was a veritable
tour de force
of a performance. What could this Quartet make of the
2nd
Quartet,
one wonders?
The French sensibilities of Ravel’s gorgeous
Quartet
made a perfect foil for the Teutonic imaginings of Zemlinsky. Choosing tempi
which were slightly faster than we are used to, but never hurrying the music,
the work unfolded before our very ears as a strong, bright and vivacious
piece, with a heart of
gold in the slow movement, and
avoiding the trap so
many fall into, of making it into a delicate soufflé.
Best of all,
the finale had all the required weight to give it the feel of a real symphonic
achievement.
This was a fine lunchtime recital, perfectly planned and executed and the
Cavaleri Quartet can be heard again, playing both works, at the Wigmore Hall
on 6 December in a joint recital with pianist
Meng Yang Pan. Not to be missed.
Bob Briggs