One of the most engaging aspects of the Coast Recital Society’s (CRS) latest concert on Feb. 21 was the ability of the Vogler Quartet to interpret the music of the composers in unique ways using their 30 years of experience performing together. The four members, two violinists, one violist and one cellist, are from Germany, grew up in East Berlin and are now busy travelling and performing all over the world and teaching in Europe.
On Sunday they performed the work of four composers, all written in the 20th century, and to some extent reflecting the mood of the times – that of industrialization and war. Ravel’s String Quartet in F Major, written in 1904, showed influences from Asia and the Paris Exposition of 1900.
Stravinsky’s Three Pieces for String Quartet was deconstructed by the group for the edification of the audience. It is difficult to see any links in the three pieces; they stand alone, giving the group an opportunity to interpret them musically and speculate as to Stravinsky’s aspirations.
The story behind Erwin Schulhoff’s Five Pieces for String Quartet is interesting and tragic. The prolific Jewish composer died in a Nazi concentration camp, and his work was almost lost for years until after World War II when London/Decca Records published this piece.
Stellar Canadian pianist Ian Parker joined the quartet for Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet. “It’s a story-telling piece,” he told the audience. It won the prestigious Stalin Prize in its day and is accomplished in five movements of varying intensities.
The next concert presented by CRS is on Sunday, March 6 with Philippe Sly, bass-baritone, and Michael McMahon, piano. The pre-concert chat starts at 1:30 p.m. with concert at 2:30 p.m. More information can be found at www.coastrecitalsociety.ca
