Inspire Creativity

American String Project, concert two

Posted by kevin Mon, 13 Jun 2005 16:26:19 GMT

Friday was another string concert, part of the same series as the last one. Once again, the performers were excellent. I noticed this time that they switch chairs every song, so someone else is 1st violin, for example. They’re all 1st violin worthy!

Felix Mendelssohn, String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13*

Rather slow, with some sweet places.

Georges Bizet, A Suite for Carmen (arr. Chase)

Very rousing – definitely woke up everyone who fell asleep during the Mendelssohn piece :) I’ve heard this before and not liked it as much, but it was great here. Not as ‘together’ as the other pieces, but nicely written and the perfect virtuoso flair appropriate to the performers.

Robert Schumann, String quartet No.1 in A minor, Op. 41/1

The later the movement, the better this was. I wonder if Schumann perhaps needed an editor, the same way J.K. Rawling (and every popularized author) becomes so trapped. The last movement was beautiful, and had a great spot that could break your heart. But then it went on for another 5 minutes instead of ending.