Captivating recital

Press, 13 July 1979, Page 4

Captivating recital

By C. FOSTER BROWNE 'A big audience in the James Hay Theatre last evening welcomed the Smetana String Quartet on its return to New Zealand and was delighted by the wonderful finesse shown by these players. The recital was given for the Christchurch Chamber Music Society. TTie players—Jiri Novak Lubomir Kostecky (violins), Milan Skampa (viola), and Antonin Kohout (cellist)— gave entrancing performances, full of the most refuted and poised playing one Cduld wish for. ?They began with Beethoven’s Quartet in A major, Op. 18 No. 5. This early work breathes the quintessence of charm and was played with |he finest poise. It began in tarefree spirit , with elegant

thematic material in compact form. A delightful minuetto followed and gave classical grace in design. The work ended with courtly vivacity. Martinu’s Quartet No. 4 was next, beginning in exhilarating fashion even in its peaceful moments. This music took us out of doors on a gusty day in a beloved countryside. The second movement was still exciting even though the wind had dropped a little, and the movement died gently. In the third movement the viola led, and was answered by the others in a fascinating melody redolent of the countryside and its history. The last movement brought all the joy of a country dance in music that freed the spirit The last work was Dvorak’s well known Quartet in F major Op. 96. This is known as the “Americati quartet”

because Dvorak wrote it in the United States and incorporated many tunes heard there. However, his love for his Czech homeland persisted and there is a strongly Czech spirit in this lovely work.

It began with free and uninhibited start, the music flowing pleasantly. A lyrical atmosphere was created in a gentle interlude. Melodies piled up in profusion, each being introduced so elegantly. A gentle melancholy prevailed in the second movement with silken sheen in the playing. Lovely themes and rhythms recalling Dvorak’s homeland abound in the rest of the work, and it winds its way into the hearts of its hearers with a familiarity that never stales. The playing showed an expertise and a devotion to the task that were completely captivating.