For
local fans of serious classical music, this month's entry in the
Montgomery College Chamber Music Series was a special treat. The
Gotham String Quartet presented a performance of Beethoven's
"String Quartet opus 132 in A minor" to an appreciative
audience in the beautiful college Theater Building. It is a
comfortable, intimate and modern theater space with fine
acoustics. Woodland's Science and Art Center founder/director Doug
Kilgore was on hand to enjoy this latest concert in the series
developed by his growing organization. (Website: www.woodsac.org)
Introducing the program was the quartet's first violinist, Lun
Jiang. He gave a short but informative discussion on both the work
and the composer. Describing the selection as a "masterpiece
of Beethoven's late period," Jiang commented that "Great
masters never follow rules." Jiang explained the
extraordinary accomplishments of Beethoven during this later
period. He had become completely deaf, but was at the peak of his
powers as a composer, and had an uncanny ability to mentally
compose music which he, himself, could not hear.
The Gotham String Quartet members also include Jiang's twin
brother Quan Jiang on violin, Philadelphian Sheila Browne on viola
and Taiwan native Cheng-Hou Lee on cello. The Jiangs were born in
China. The group members are graduates of the Julliard and
Manhattan Schools and were in residence at the Midori Foundation
before the group formed in 1998. They have performed throughout
the U.S. (including performances at Lincoln Center and Carnegie
Hall) and also in Germany, Italy and the Far East. In New York
City they participated in outreach programs for school children,
and in Houston they will take part in project GRAD.
As for the performance itself, no one was disappointed. The
first movement "Assai Sostenuto-Allegro" was rich and
melodic. The musicians were intensely focused and displayed an
exquisite unity. The second movement "Allegro, ma non-tanto"
began with a smooth, darting quality that reminded me of the
swallows I had observed flying over Lake Woodlands earlier in the
day. The talented young performers played with regal precision.
The warm smile cellist Cheng-Hou Lee shared with his fellow
musicians at the close of this movement was easily justified by
the caliber of the performance. The attractive Ms. Browne, with
long brown hair shining, looked pleased as well.
Jiang had explained at the outset that the third movement's
"Molto adagio," written in the 1820s, was Beethoven's
way of giving thanks to God for surviving a serious illness at
that time. Here, the music began with a somber and prayerful
attitude and was full of subtle variations, superbly performed
with impressive virtuosity. Jiang's work as first violinist was
outstanding. As the movement concludes, it seems to ascend
heavenward and ends in the purest whisper. Closing passages of the
five-movement work were no less satisfying. We continued to see
the evident joy shared by the artists in performance. At once
regal and courtly, Beethoven's work offered both suspense and high
excitement amid the dazzling dexterity of these talented
performers. The audience applause was enthusiastic.
And speaking of the audience, several members offered comments.
Lana Hazlett, known for her long service with the youth programs
of The Woodland's Symphony, remarked that "even if one had
never heard a string quartet before, this wonderful music would
still be immediately recognizable as Beethoven." Woodlands
residents Nancy and Bill Stewart enjoyed the concert. Mrs. Stewart
was fascinated by the discussion of Beethoven's hearing handicap
and spoke of the related video "The Man Upstairs," which
she enjoys sharing with CISD music students in her capacity as
substitute teacher. And Dorothy Elfert, resident of The Forum, had
a whimsical recollection. The music reminded her of her first
girlhood concert experience many years ago in a Chicago park. As
Elfert tells it, she and her girlfriends were disruptive and
giggling at the "funny names" on the classical program.
But I am pleased to report that Mrs. Elfert was very well behaved
at this performance!
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David Dow Bentley III