In the second Sydney concert of its national tour for Musica Viva, the Modigliani String Quartet performed throughout with characteristic spontaneity and freedom. This was refreshing quartet music for audiences to be exposed to.
The works in the programme were highly contrasted in style and interpretive demands. They were not played in chronological order; Shostakovich followed the opening Haydn work in the first half, and Dvořák followed Schubert after interval.
As well as combining with consistently excellent blend, individual quartet members shone as they contributed individual and disparate motifs to an assortment of textures. This was especially effective in the Shostakovich String Quartet No 1 in C major and Dvořák’s String Quartet Op 12 No 96 ‘American’.
The rewarding quality of this quartet’s combined voice in many passages and climaxes resonated throughout the Angel Place acoustic. This unity was even more special on the night as regular cellist Francois Kieffer was absent due to injury and replaced at short notice by Christophe Morin.
A highlight of the concert was the chance to hear Shostakovich’s first string quartet. Beginning the composer’s legacy in this genre where later works became increasingly intense, it features chameleon-like shifts between intimate lyricism and bolder effects.
This work’s concepts were articulated across the four instruments with control, precision and many subtleties of expression. The extended viola solo in the second movement unfolded with beautiful poise.
The bright personalities of both Haydn and the Modigliani Quartet emerged in the opening quartet, Haydn’s String Quartet Op 50 No 1 (1787). There was a good balance between preserving traditional structures and illuminating Haydn’s more unique and characteristic elements.
The first violin filigree throughout this quartet was successfully delivered with fluidity and freedom. Melodic lines were played with measured gentleness and elevated expression. The second movement ‘Adagio non lento’ was a fine example of exquisitely delicate rendering and extremely soft playing, an attractive feature of this concert.
Schubert’s String Quartet No 12 in C minor, ‘Quartettsatz’ was seamlessly presented after interval. It was rewarding to have this challenging work painted in such broad strokes. There was stunning lightness in the opening movement’s first violin runs. This well-articulated performance continued the quartet’s proven warmth of tone, finely shaped phrasing and exciting moments of thematic development.
Evocative colours and character emerged and overlapped a-plenty in Dvořák’s String Quartet No 12 Op 96, ‘American’. Composed during Dvořák’s time working in America, it was written in 1893, the same year as the ‘New World’ symphony.
Even though this was the last and longest work in the programme, the playing of various textures with joyous energy gave this work the momentum required for a successful and uplifting climax to the concert.
The Modigliani Quartet toured Australia with clarinettist Sabine Meyer in 2011, also in concerts for Musica Viva. In its first solo tour the quartet on this occasion brought uplifting and inspiring playing to our shores in a diverse and entertaining concert.
The next concert in Musica Viva’s International Concert Season will feature the Eggner Trio, with concerts on November 9 and 14.