Not so long ago students witnessed an evening of chamber music presented by the visiting Janacek Quartet, and as can be expected this group of players with world-wide repute attracted a considerable audience (some were obliged to stand, indeed!).

Mozart

With their first item, a Mozart quartet, it was singularly astonishing to experience the players' superb skill and imagination in infusing the work with all the subtle finger sliding phrases and nuances of the romantic school— not originally intended by the composer.

Let's face it. mozart is not a romantic either by period or inclination; grace, finesses tragedy. Yes—but never a trace of sentimental emotionalism. I do not wish the reader to think I wear blinkers. Romantic music can be exceptionally good in its own right but to redesign in romantic style a classical composer's directions is too much like eating steak, eggs, and iced nutty-cake off the same plate.

"Intimate Journal"

The quartet was very much at home with their second choice, "Intimate Journal" by Janacek.

The lyricism and sometimes impassioned pathos, in this composition, were treated with sympathy by the group. This work is comparatively recent and I suspect that, at a first hearing, it demands too much concentration on of idiom, design or texture, there are passages in the piece which have familiar yet pleasingly fresh new effects.

Having played "themselves in" the quartet then gave an excellent rendition of the first movement of Beethoven's OP 59 No. 2. Oh yes, they did play the whole work, but a word about the first movement. It is in quick tempo and is perhaps one of Beethoven's less energetic structures, demanding only an expected standard of precision and virtuosity of playing. The startling outbursts were given the force that this composer requires. I thought I was going to enjoy the whole piece—then came the second movement.

The second is a slow movement and gave the players just the right opportunity to glue all their long notes together as they had in the Mozart piece, exulting once again in sugar candy-like slides and Phrases.

Boredom and Disgust

I humbly apologise for not mentioning the remaining two movements; I almost fell asleep from boredom nurtured by disgust.

Their actual playing as a group however was masterly. The three items were given entirely by memory—and the timing had knife-like precision.

Re-Orientation Needed

I would definitely like to see them visit again, but feel sure that I am not alone in hoping that they shall be able to re-orientate themselves with the various musical periods—and not allow a thick impasto of romantic treacle to drip off classical mansucripts.

—G.M.