Some gipsy in the soul
The “Alard Quartet, - ’ string quartet in residence at the University of Canterbury. Christchurch Teachers’ College Auditorium, June 21, 3.30 p.m. Reviewed by Philip Norman. An atypical Haydn, a classic- Bartok. and Walton were the string quartets presented by the Alard Quartet, in the second of three subscription concerts. This demanding programme was a display of the quartet's stamina and cohesive skills. .Joanne Zagst (violin), Donald Hopkins (violin). Raymond Page (viola) and Leonard.. Feldman (cello) Have collectively perfected the art of ensemble playing; theirs is a flawless melding of four sounds.
’ This cohesion.was particu- ? larly noticeable in the. Haydn . Quartet (0p.54 N 0.2 in C ■ major) with the immaculate , tailoring of phrases and cai dential searns. This quartet features, in its second rnove- . ment. somme embellished. I writing for violin, admirably . played by. Joanne -Zagst. with [. a little bit of gipsy in the < soul.. Bartok's fourth string quartet is, a concert in itself: an intense concentration of sounds -and colours, propelling rhythms, angular lines, and a wide variety of emotions are hurled at the audience with little respite. It is a challenge to any quartet,. and one that was well met by the Alard Quartet in a vigorous and tightlycontrolled performance.
Particularly exciting was the / Allegretto. pizzicato movement, which explores all manner of string plucking.
Once can understand why Walton's “String quartet in A minor” is not frequently performed. It is lengthy for the subject matter in hand (especially the third movement) and hovers uneasily between tonality arid.atonality, metric and nori-metric writing.
Walton is at his best in this work when he falls back on his undeniably British sound in the final movement;
The Alard . Quartet certainly did 'justice to: the work and captured the fresh vitality of the final Allegro molto.
The third concert in this subscription series will be held on Sunday, July 5,
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Press, 22 June 1981, Page 6
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310Some gipsy in the soul Press, 22 June 1981, Page 6
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