HUNGARIAN STRING QUARTET IMPRESSES

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32028, 1 July 1969, Page 16

HUNGARIAN STRING QUARTET IMPRESSES

The Hungarian String Quartet Messrs Zoltan Szekely, Michael Kuttner, Denes Koromzay, and Gabriel Mag?ar, played in the Civil 'heatre last evening for the Christchurch Chamber Music Society. They began with Haydn’s String Quartet in G minor, Op. 74 No. 3. Brilliant tone was used in the first movement—so brilliant at times as to sound rather harsh —but the slow movement had a meditative grace in tones which blended very sympathetically as they sang serenely on their way. There was a cool and refreshing sparkle to the timbres, used in the Minuetto, which was continued on into the Finale with joyous and cheering effect Hindemith's String Quartet No. 3 began meditatively in a moderately slow fugato whose

uncompromising dissonances created a feeling of supple strength and delicacy of texture at the same time. The second section of the work began furiously, but this yielded place to gentler and more friendly textures for a while, and the playing had exhilarating vigour and vital force. The slow movement mean-

dered gently in a subdued autumnal glow with strange but convincing dissonances. There was a beautiful blending of sounds, which made the furious opening to the last movement seem most uncompromising. However, this soon led to a suave rondo ending quietly. The whole work was interesting, and radiated confidence and sophisticated erudition. The recital ended with Beethoven’s great Quartet in C sharp minor. Op. 131, which began with beautifully blended tonal colours in

shapely phrasing, solemn, dignified, and serene. A rich profusion of lovely sounds poured forth as the music quickened, and the shining lustre of the third section of the work captivated all hearers.

The playing of this work showed the splendid artistry of the performers, for there were no fireworks, and every nuance, every accent, every subtle change of colour demanded the closest attention in most exacting team work. The little presto movement had scintillating dash and suavity contrasting, in marked effect, with the bright and almost militaristic rhythms which swept on to the end. —C.F.B.