From the other side of the world

The New Zealand String Quartet delights audiences in Buschbell’s Old Church.

FRECHEN-BUSCHBELL. The New Zealand String Quartet had already given two performances in Buschbell some years ago. On the occasion of this year’s European tour, the ensemble asked if it could once again perform in the wonderful atmosphere of this little church.

It was not least the interest and gratitude of the audience that had led to this concert being staged. This was one victory the audience and the music lovers’ association led by the Diels family could proudly claim for themselves. It was certainly daring to test the enthusiasm in the auditorium with an almost two-and-a-half hour concert, especially since Helene Pohl, Douglas Beilman, Gillian Ansel and Rolf Gjestel are touring with more than just easily accessible music.

A contemporary meditation (Abhisheka by J. Psathas), which did not overly maltreat the audience’s listening habits in spite of its unusual harmonics, came alive with its tense harmonics coupled with contemplative tenderness.

Five Pieces by Schulhoff, a Czech who died in a Nazi concentration camp, was a brusquer affair. First violinist Helene Pohl explained that Schulhoff did not want to please listeners, but rather to shake them up. The tongue-in-cheek effect of a waltz in 4/4 time took the audience by surprise and made them smile, especially when the brilliant ensemble took such pleasure in emphasising the musical punch-lines.

Both these compositions served as a warm-up for Haydn’s Violin Quartet No. 63 (Sunrise), in which the musicians captivated the audience with their superb phrasing and impressive synchronous dynamics, even in the furious final tempo. While the concluding Beethoven’s Quartet No. 15, from the latter phase of the composer’s career, is by no means an accessible work, especially when heard at a late hour, the New Zealanders’ transparent teamwork nevertheless made it entertaining and exciting.

With its warm harmonics, the slow movement, drawn out like a chorale, provided a pleasant eye of calm in what is a restless work. The frequent lingering tone of the cello was somewhat irritating, however, making itself particularly apparent in the small church’s clear acoustics.

After a long concert and a lengthy round of applause, the quartet, whose enjoyment in playing could clearly be heard, topped off their effort with a lighter movement from a Mendelssohn quartet. The players were given “bearded-man jugs” as an expression of gratitude for their performance. However, they will certainly not need these to further remind them that a European tour of a world-class string quartet can also include a stop in Buschbell.