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Review from The
Columbus Dispatch. Sunday, March 19, 2000. Brentano
String Quartet simply superlative By Ralph O’Dette The Brentano
String Quartet was presented by the Columbus Chamber Music Society last night in
the Southern Theatre in an imaginative program that challenged both the audience
and the musicians. The concert
began with Mozart's Adagio and Fugue in C minor, K546 and continued with the
Quartet in A minor, D804 by Schubert. After intermission there was a modern
masterpiece, Schoenberg's Quartet No. 3, Op. 30, and the program concluded
with the Great Fugue, Op. 133 by Beethoven. The ensemble
was founded in 1992 and is named for Antonie Brentano, object of Beethoven's
unrequited love. Members are Mark Steinberg and Serena Canin, violins; Misha
Amory, viola; and Nina Maria Lee, cello. They more than lived up to their
glowing advance notice. The
qualities that made the performances memorable are precisely those that define a
fine string quartet: beautiful sound, perfect intonation, individual virtuosity
and musicianship, flawless ensemble, a wide range of dynamics and tone color,
and minutely planned interpretations that sound spontaneous. Mozart's
Adagio and Fugue was one product of his first exposure to the music of J.S.
Bach. The Brentano made everything crystal clear for those interested in
following the technical details. They also made it exciting listening. The Schubert
piece is continually, lyrical, often tinged with gentle sadness. The ensemble's
wonderful After a pep
talk from quartet leader Steinberg, we heard a committed reading of the
Schoenberg. Elevator music it is not, but its expressive strength beckons
to the serious listener. No amount of listening to the titanic struggles portrayed by Beethoven's Great Fugue lessens its stunning impact. It may be 175 years old, but it could have been written yesterday had the requisite genius been around. | CCMS Home | Index of Reviews | 1999-2000 Season |
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