Vol. XXXIII, Issue 11
EMERSON STRING QUARTET
CULTURE
by Sarah Evins
2N ( SGHMJ HSŗR R@ED SN QDL@QJ NM SGD KNUD @Ƥ@HQ SGD classical music world has with Beethoven. My music history textbook, for instance, torridly describes Beethoven and his works in a 20-page love letter to man’s greatness. To the delight of Beethoven fanatics in the New York City area, this month has been bursting with Beethoven. The New York Philharmonic is soon to conclude its Modern Beethoven Festival under the direction of Beethoven pioneer David Zinman. And even closer to home, the Emerson String Quartet astounded Stony Brook audiences with their February and March performances of Beethoven string quartets. .M ,@QBG SGD PT@QSDS GDKC SGDHQ ƥM@K ODQENQL@MBD of the semester at the Staller Center Recital Hall. Straight NƤ @ SNTQ HM (S@KX SGDX G@C @ RTQOQHRHMFKX GDESX KHMDTO HM store for audiences. They began with the late Mozart “String Quartet in F major, K.590,” showcasing their recent CD release of Prussian works for quartets. Then they played @ LNCDQM OHDBD AX 6NKEF@MF 1HGL ř2SQHMF 0T@QSDS -N Ś composed in 1981. After intermission, they concluded with a singularly bombastic and moving rendition of Beethoven’s Op. 132, “String Quartet in A minor.” 3GD ƥQRS G@KE NE SGD OQNFQ@L V@R @ RSTCX HM ITWS@ONRHSHNM Emerson’s opening piece, the last string quartet written by Mozart, was both tuneful and meditative. Gene Drucker, @R ƥQRS UHNKHMHRS RN@QDC SDMCDQKX @ANUD SGD V@QL RSQ@HMR
of his fellow musicians. This was immediately contrasted with the more modern Rihm, with its sometimes violent and other times lyrical gestures, highlighting Emerson’s versatility. While the crowd did not seem to connect to the modern musical language of the Rihm as openly as they did with the Mozart, the Emerson’s technical mastery became a focal point of the performance. Particularly impressive was violist Larry Dutton’s unrelenting command of his instrument, the mammoth sound of which gave the piece a resounding voice. However, Emerson’s performance of Beethoven’s Op. 132 is what made this performance truly spectacular. Unintimidated by the monumental task of performing this musical behemoth, the quartet performed the piece with @OKNLA @MC DLNSHNM@K YD@K 3GD DMC NE SGD ƥQRS LNUDLDMS left the packed room sizzling with energy, a collective sigh issuing from some members of the audience. The third movement, with its spiritual style, moved many concertgoers to tears. Even after noting their extensive list of accomplishments CDS@HKDC HM SGD OQNFQ@L ( RSHKK ƥMC LXRDKE RSTMMDC AX Emerson’s polished performance on Thursday night. With a shared history of over 30 years, the quartet performed SGQDD Q@CHB@KKX CHƤDQDMS OHDBDR @KK BNGDQDC TMCDQ SGDHQ SQ@CDL@QJ RDMRD NE BNLONRTQD @MC ƥMDRRD
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