The Forsyth Review: St. Lawrence String Quartet

St. Lawrence String Quartet

There have been some pretty impressive musicians on the Friends of Music line-up this season: pianist Jamie Parker, soprano Monica Whicher and Orchestra Internazionale d’Italia. And of course the Stars of Tomorrow concert that is an annual treat. But I must say that my personal favourite was the final concert of the season last Sunday at the Cameco Capitol Arts Centre when we heard the dynamic St. Lawrence String Quartet. They were, quite simply, wonderful and I obviously wasn’t the only person to think so; there was a standing O at the end of the first half!

The four young musicians – Lesley Robertson on viola, Christopher Costanza on cello and Geoff Nuttall and Scott St. John on violin – seem to be joined at the musical, emotional and physical hip; their communication skills are remarkable. It was a strong program that required some pretty impressive finger-work and not once did they falter. The first piece was Haydn’s String Quartet in E flat Major, four movements comprising a minuet and slow movement and two fast movements, all of which covered a wide emotional range.

Next was a personal favourite: Mendelssohn’s String quartet in F minor. This was Mendelssohn last quartet and indeed his last complete work; it is thought to have been written as a result of the untimely death of his beloved sister Fanny. The range of emotion, from intense anguish to complete serenity, is remarkable and in the hands of SLSQ was spine-tingling.

After the intermission it was Dvorák’s String Quartet No. 13 in G major. This work was a departure from the norm for viola player Dvorák. As the excellent notes in the concert program said “The theme is not flowing; instead it consists of short, fragmented motifs treated like building blocks that can be variously combined.”

Meeting the performers after the concert at the much-anticipated Friends of Music reception was a real treat. Lesley had her two-year old daughter with her – Kira had stayed in the Green room with her aunt while mum was on stage – who was a delight.

All in all it was a wonderful time and the perfect concert to end the season for Friends of Music. The first concert of the next season, the 35^th, is on October 2^nd featuring Angèle Dubeau & La Pietà followed by Messiah on December 5^th. For all the info on the season go to the website: www.porthopefriendsofmusic.ca.

Selena Forsyth