New Zealand String Quartet

The New Zealand String Quartet made a flying visit home from Nelson to perform with Anton Kuerti for the all-Schumann finale.

Shostakovich’s sombre eighth string quartet is perhaps his best known. It was played with precision and warmth. Nevertheless the tension and passion were palpable. The agitation of the fast second movement was achieved through technical bravura.

The ever-changing moods coupled with exceptional playing maintained interest throughout, but the dismal background landscape was unrelieved. Indeed, it intensified and became tragedy, except when a wonderfully winsome melody high on the cello interrupted.

All in all, a totally committed, gripping and electrifying performance. The brash young Schumann let fly with his Novelettes, but Kuerti was equal to each show of brilliance.

Kuerti’s performances are his individual interpretation, recognisably different from those of other pianists. He gave masterly treatment to these technically difficult pieces, demonstrated their piquancy and playfulness, and gave full effect to the contemplative passages. The rippling final intermezzo quieted the storms and concluded a treat of superb piano playing.

The quintet by the jovial, life-living Dvorak, master of melody, is perhaps the exact opposite of the Shostakovich work. It exhibits exuberant energy, and demands that quality from the players. Perhaps this contributed to the broken violin string – which enabled the audience to hear some of the first movement again, this time with all the notes.

A magical slow passage towards the end, full of nuances, was followed by a great flourish; then the music was over. Kuerti’s marvellous contribution was characterised by lightness, agility and clarity.

This was a consummate and thoroughly musical performance of a delightful work, concluding a taxing programme. It was greeted by cheers – something seldom heard at a chamber music concert in Wellington.