THE FOURTH concert of the International Pharos Chamber Music Festival was another resounding success. The excellence and calibre of the musicians brought by the Pharos Trust is indisputably high.
The Ysaye Quartet was formed in 1984 while its members were still students at the Paris Conservatoire. The quartet is named after the violinist, quartet-player and composer Eugene Ysaye, and a great tribute they pay to his name.
Since they have been playing together for so many years, a certain familiarity with each other’s abilities and predilections enables them to give high-quality interpretations.
The evening began with the String Quartet in B flat major No 6 Op 18, dedicated by Beethoven to Prince Lobkowitz. The classical string quartets are the ultimate challenge both musically and technically as they are very exposed, both factors over which the Ysaye Quartet triumphed.
In the opening movement, the first subject in the first violin was graceful, with the second subject light and airy. Luc-Marie Aguera, the second violinist held the accompaniment together perfectly with the right balance, and a perfect arm, with just the right amount of bow.
The role of the 2nd violin is all too often underplayed, with many associating the number two, with the violinist not being as good as the first. This is actually not the case; each member of a quartet has an equal role to play in the final music making.
The last movement is marked by Beethoven “with the greatest of delicacy”, and this was achieved by the Ysaye Quartet. Their bow control is perfect, and they achieved powerful sound, not only with the bow pressure, but also with an intense vibrato.
The second work was Faure’s String Quartet in e minor Op 121. First violinist, Guillaume Sutre, and violist Miguel da Silva blended beautifully in the first movement with cellist Yovan Markovitch shining in the final Allegro. The music of Faure is deep and meaningful to this quartet, and they captured the soul of the music with their long melodic lines and elegant phrasing. This was a masterful synergy, with totally dedicated, and passionately convincing playing.
An enthralling rendition of Schumann’s String Quartet in a minor No 1 Op 41 followed the interval. The playing was absolutely immaculate, with a subtle feeling of style and deep penetration into its content. Again, this quartet displayed an energetic and inspired interpretation. Their ensemble playing is masterful with varied dynamics, with a great intensity and excitement being generated by their music making.
Bravo to the Pharos Trust for closing the doors and only allowing late-comers in at the end of each work. Music is an art and discipline. The audience in Cyprus, must now learn to show respect to these artists and arrive on time.
Another note to the guilty audience members – please stay and clap! There is nothing worse for a musician, having given all their art and energy to the performance, than to see people leaving the auditorium before they have even had a chance to stand and take a bow. Many of the audience did not even hear the encore. This displayed a shameful lack of manners from some of our local audience.
The next concerts : The Pharos Soloists May 23 in Kouklia, Paphos and May 24 in PASYDY, Nicosia, both at 8.30pm. For more information call 22-663 871.
