Russian Repertoire in The Marist Church, Dundalk

louth | arts and media | news report Friday August 01, 2008 11:03 by Sean Crudden - impero sean at impero dot iol dot ie Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth. 087 9739945

World Class Recital

A very attractive program of Russian music was presented in the refurbished Marist Church, Dundalk, last night. Tickets were €15. The program and the performance was captivating and exemplary.

The St Petersburg String Quartet

Program

Shostakovich: String Quartet No 11 in F minor Op 122 (1966)

Introduction. Andantino
Scherzo. Allegretto
Recitative. Adagio
Etude. Allegro
Humoresque. Adagio
Elegy. Adagio
Finale. Moderato

Borodin; Quartet No 2 in D

Allegro moderato
Scherzo. Allegro
Notturno (Nocturne); Andante
Finale: Andante - Vivace

Interval

Tchaicovsky: String Quartet No 1 in D Op 11 (1871)

Moderato e semplice
Andante cantabile
Scherzo. Allegro non tanto e con fuoco - Trio
Finale. Allegro giusto - Allegro vivace

Encore

Debussy

Golliwog's Cakewalk

The leader of the quartet - the darker haired lady in the picture - is a masterful musician and very commanding although she is totally feminine. Her musical personality is impossible to describe in words nor can words conjure up the perfection and beauty of tone she captures with her violin. It is something any interested person must see for herself or himself. I am totally grateful to the Arts Office in Dundalk who organised the recital and to my neighbour Ms Hughes who tipped me off about it and although the seat was hard and I couldn't see everything I consider the concert last night to be one of the greatest music experiences of my life.

There was quite a full audience and they were enthusiastic and appreciating the music which was presented the most coherent and idiomatic way.