Viridian String Quartet: A Journey through Space and Time

Stefan Conradie and Calvin Steyn (violins), Ingrid Robinson (viola), and cellist Cornèl Engelbrecht

What a wonderful evening it was! On Saturday 23 March The Viridian String Quartet, a local group, performed an outstanding concert in Stilbaai: Mosaic: A Journey through Space and Time. The program consisted of music from all over the world composed by musicians dating from the 17th century (Mozart (1756-1791)) to contemporary music of today. 

Die program is vrolik ingelei deur Mozart se Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, gevolg deur die meesleurende, nostalgiese 2e beweging van Beethoven (1770-1827) se  Klavier Sonata no 8, Op 13 (Pathetique), soos verwerk deur Louis Sauter. Dit is duidelik dat die kwartet dit geniet om saam te speel, dat hulle n fyn aanvoeling het vir mekaar wat daarom 'n warm, gebalanseerde klank tot gevolg het. Die afwisseling in tempo en emosie in die stukke was merkwaardig. 

Then followed the first movement of the String Quartet No 12 Op. 96, also known as  "The American Suite"  by A. Dvorak (1841-1904). He composed it while living in America in 1893. It is uncertain whether he wrote it to capture the spirit of American folk music, the New World, or simply wrote the music of the Czech emigrants he liked to listen to during his stay in the US.  Either way it was hauntingly beautiful to listen to and the musicians rendered the varied dance rhythms and underlying emotion of the piece, flawlessly. 

Die tweede helfte van die program is ingelei deur sewe kort danse deur B Bartok (1881-1945): Romanian Folk Dances, Sz,56, soos verwerk deur Cornél Engelbrecht, die tjellis van die groep. Dit is  ritmiese danse met sterk tempo wisselings waar die verskillende instrumente om die beurt die botoon voer. Die goeie samewerking tussen die verskillende musikante en is weereens duidelik. 

In sharp contrast to the above, followed the dirge-like Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 by S Barber (1910-1945) This sonorous piece is often played at funerals, (i.e. Rooseveld and Kennedy) and with good reason: it is heartbreakingly slow and sad. 

Next in line were two lighter melodies: the jazzy Besame Mucho by Concuelo Velasquez (1916-2005) and the enchanting Be our Guest from Beauty and the Beast by Menkin and Ashman, also cleverly arranged by Cornél. Both pieces were enthusiastically received and applauded by the audience.

Koos du Plessis (1945-1984) se Gebed sluit die genoeglike aand af  EN as toegif  word die gehoor trakteer op die 2e beweging van Dvorak se Amerikaanse suite. Die staande ovasie was wel verdien. 

Die terugvoer van lede van die Vereniging is dit eens: Dit was werklik een van die beste- en

toeganklikste konserte wat nog in Stibaai aangebied is in die 20 jaar van die bestaan van die Musiekvereniging. Bravo Viridian Kwartet !!!  Ons sien uit daarna om julle weer hier te ontvang. 

Louise