Ensemble performed a selection of exquisite music with great
skill and emotion. (Review by Keith Millar)
Baroque 2000 was back last Sunday, after a two month break,
to prove once again that there can be few more entertaining ways for a fan of
classical music to round off their week-end than by attending a concert at the
charming Church of the Monastery at Mariannhill.
Guest artists at the concert were The Gut String Quartet.
The quartet, which was founded earlier this year, includes very experienced and
talented musicians in director and violinist Antoinette Lohmann, Ralitza
Macheva (violin), Elmarie van der Vyver (viola) and Cecilia Di Cecco (cello).
The ensemble players are exponents of the Historically
Informed Performance Practise (or HIPP) movement .Briefly, this movement aims to
re-create music in the same style as it was originally written. To that end,
they play on period instruments which are without chin and shoulder rests,
their bows are recreations of the type used in the 18th century and, most
importantly, the strings they use are animal gut rather than modern fibres.
The sound produced by these instruments is more gentle and
delicate than that one has become accustomed to from modern instruments, and
possibly some of the power and resonance is lacking. However, the sound is
perfect for a chamber music performance such as this concert.
Included in the programme were string quartets composed by
Joseph Martin Kraus, Luigi Boccherini and Joseph Haydn. All were from the
latter part of the 18th century when this genre of music had gained
respectability and was regarded in a more serious light. Prior to this, string
quartets performed mostly divertimentos which was the light-hearted music
performed as a background at social events.
Kraus was regarded by many as the Swedish Mozart and
regarded as a man of genius by his contemporary Joseph Haydn. His music is
volatile and emotional.
Luigi Boccherini wrote over 100 string quartets. His Opus
32: Quartetto 1 in e minor which was performed at this concert is a good
example of the light, melodic and rhythmic charm of his work.
Joseph Haydn has been called the “father of the string
Quartet”. His contribution to the concert was his Quator 4 in D Minor. It is a
delightful work full of energy and vigour and a perfect testimony to one of the
greatest composers of all time.
The August Baroque 2000 concert was very interesting and
entertaining. The Gut String Quartet performed a selection of exquisite music
with great skill and emotion.
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