After four cancellations, the Phoenix Collective Quartet’s eclectic performance finally graced the acoustically brilliant space of Christ Church St Laurence. Samuel Barber’s famous adagio for string quartet was first. Played at a slow pace, the piece resonated down the nave to full effect. The next piece was a complete shift of mood, Jo Hisaishi’s score for the Japanese animated film about the 14th century epic battle between animal deities and humans. It was a wonderful contrast to the Barber as battles raged and mystical melodies lingered. Separated into three set pieces from the film, it was a conflict between nature and humans played with gusto.
The third piece was Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 8 in C minor (arranged for quartet). Shostakovich wrote it in 1943, soon after the composer was forced to join the Communist Party. His disdain for the Party can be imagined as the three sharp knocks repeat throughout, as if the KGB is pounding on his door. Known as the ‘Stalingrad Symphony’, Shostakovich is quoted as saying the piece ‘is dedicated to the victims of war and fascism’. Perhaps the courageous work predicts the spectacular demise of Stalin, the tyrant. This was the powerful, emotive piece of the day.
To close the concert on a more light-hearted ‘note’, the last piece was a rendition of Nordic folk songs – lyrical, fun and tranquil. The piece was compiled by the Danish String Quartet.
My only complaint is that the program ran for only an hour. While close to Central and easy to travel to, a longer concert would have been welcome.
Dan Russel and Pip Thompson played the violins, Ella Brinch the viola and Andrew Wilson the cello. Each member of the quartet spoke briefly before a piece was played providing historical context. It was a pleasure to have such a varied program – Russian, American, Japanese and Nordic.
The concert took place at the Christ Church St Laurence, city on Saturday 6th November, 2021.
https://phoenixcollective.com.au/
Featured image : Andrew Wilson, cellist for the Phoenix Collective Quartet.