20th Century Romantics (5/12/24)

Langsamer Satz – Anton Webern (1883–1945)
Amy Schroeder, Katie Hyun, violins; Jordan Bak, viola; Brook Speltz, cello

Three Pieces for String Quartet, K019 – Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971)
No. 1; No. 2; No. 3
Siwoo Kim, Alex Fortes, violins; Yura Lee, viola; Michael Nicolas, cello

Octet in C Major, op. 7 – George Enescu (1881–1955)
Très modéré; Trés fougueux; Lentement; Mouvement de Valse bien rhythmée
All eight string players

This was my first free concert at Trinity Church Wall Street. I won't bore you with the technical ticketing problems—I made it in with time to spare. I knew the names of all three composers, but I know I had never heard Webern or Enescu in live performance before.

The Webern began slow and stately, dense and full without being oppressive at all. At times it bordered on haunting but it was also lovely. A great concert opener.

The first movement of the Stravinsky had the hard, driving rhythms often used by the composer. The second movement was a little calmer, but still rhythmic, especially in pizzicato (plucked strings) phrases. Also as usual, there were few discernible tunes to speak of. The third movement was richer and denser, and even calmer than the second of the three. There were some dissonances (harsh sounds), but they were pretty dissonances.

The four movements of the Enescu were slightly misleading as I had trouble figuring out when one left off and another started. It was a 40-minute work (and we were warned ahead of time). That said, it sailed along easily. It had a solid opening, strong and slightly dramatic, with a touch of lush sounds. It was enjoyable, with a soft, subdued ending. The second movement was brisk and bold, almost furious. Then it calmed down (a little) (and not for long), leading into (attacca—without pause) the third movement, appropriately slow and song-like, in a plaintive way (attacca) then with sort of aggressive phrases mixed in in obvious waltz time.

It was a very enjoyable concert in a very historical space (only steps away from ground zero). Oddly, I worked near there in 1993 when the first attack on the World Trade Center occurred. Small world, isn't it?

ConcertMeister