World famous String Quartets at RNCM Chamber Music Festival, Manchester 11/13 January

[Stanfordian]

Here is an opportunity to see three world famous String Quartets performing at Manchester's Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). As part of the Chamber Music Festival at the RNCM the weekend of the 11th-13th January sees a celebration of Beethoven’s chamber music featuring a selection of string quartets played by three of the world’s finest string quartets.

The first concert of the String Quartet Series begins on Friday 11th January at 7.30pm in the RNCM Concert Hall with the distinguished German based Henschel Quartet playing a programme that pairs Beethoven’s String Quartet in F major, Op.51/1 with the immense five movement String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132.

On Saturday 12th January at 7.30pm it’s the turn of the renowned Talich Quartet from the Czech Republic playing a recital of Beethoven’s String Quartet in E minor, Op 59/2, String Quartet in B flat major, Op. 130 and the Große Fuge in B flat major, Op 133.

Last but not least is the eminent British ensemble the Endellion String Quartet on Sunday 13th January at 7.30pm play Beethoven’s String Quartet in F major, Op. 135, String Quartet in C major, Op. 59/3 and String Quartet in C sharp minor, Op. 131.

Also included as part of the RNCM Chamber Music Festival is a selection of Beethoven’s piano trios played by the Sitkovetsky Piano Trio (11th); Gould Piano Trio (12th) and Cropper/Prause/Young Piano Trio (13th).

The RNCM Chamber Music Festival leaflet can be down loaded at:

http://www.rncm.ac.uk/whats-on/events/festival-overview/rncm-chamber-festival/#

[kuligin]

Only got to the Talich, and I thought they were sensational in the Opus 130 quartet, but not sure about playing the alternative finale as an encore though.

Nothing in my opinion can follow the Grosse Fuge, particularly when played at that intensity

Full house and a very warm response from the audience

[ahinton]

Only got to the Talich, and I thought they were sensational in the Opus 130 quartet, but not sure about playing the alternative finale as an encore though.

Nothing in my opinion can follow the Grosse Fuge, particularly when played at that intensity

No, indeed it cannot, nor for that matter should it, not least because (a) that was never the composer's intention and (b) it sounds a plain stupid thing to do!

[Bryn]

Presumably there was at least a smattering of applause separating the Grosse Fuge from its alternative. If that was indeed the case, I consider it a fine item to play as an encore.

[JFLL]

Only got to the Talich, and I thought they were sensational in the Opus 130 quartet, but not sure about playing the alternative finale as an encore though.

Nothing in my opinion can follow the Grosse Fuge, particularly when played at that intensity

Am I the only one with a soft spot for the more light-hearted finale of op. 130? Everyone seems to play it with the GF these days.

[aeolium]

Am I the only one with a soft spot for the more light-hearted finale of op. 130?

No, I'm with you, JFLL (Hans Keller was, too).

Interestingly, the Takacs Quartet on their recent London Beethoven cycle played op 130 twice in separate concerts, one with the GF and one with the replacement finale. But you're right - op 130 is rarely played in concert these days with the replacement finale.

[JFLL]

No, I'm with you, JFLL (Hans Keller was, too).

Interestingly, the Takacs Quartet on their recent London Beethoven cycle played op 130 twice in separate concerts, one with the GF and one with the replacement finale. But you're right - op 130 is rarely played in concert these days with the replacement finale.

Thanks, aeolium, and it's nice to know the great Hans Keller agreed! My own feeling is that right after the intensely moving Cavatina (a movement I should like played at my funeral, btw), a lightening of atmosphere, particularly perhaps in a live performance, does not come amiss. There's a similar lightening in op. 131 in the allegro second movement after the opening fugue. Not that I dislike the Grosse Fuge as such, mind, but it's just so overwhelming that I prefer to hear it detached.

[Stanfordian]

Hiya kuligin,

I attended the Henschel recital at the RNCM on Friday evening. They played the Beethoven Quartets in F major, Op.51/1 and A minor, Op. 132. The concentration and intensity that the Henschel gave was nothing short of remarkable especially in the massive Op. 132.