The Dover Quartet is in Montreal, and offered on Wednesday evening a masterclass in the art of string quartet composition through the great musical eras, with Haydn, Florence Price and Shostakovich on the program. A journey through time that teaches us a great deal about the evolution of chamber music, with a formidably virtuoso ensemble.
The Dover Quartet enjoys an excellent international reputation, and it’s easy to see why. Haydn’s Quartet in G minor, Op. 74 No. 3, more commonly known as “The Cavalier” because of its galloping last movement, is performed with lightning precision. We applaud the virtuosity in the speed and the sensitivity in the largesse of the slower movements.
The concert was animated by contrasts. In the Haydn, it was the contrast between fast and slow movements. Florence Price’s String Quartet no. 1 in G major contrasted with the way it was composed. Whereas Haydn’s classical tradition built the quartet essentially around a virtuoso first violin and three other supporting instruments, Price gives a more balanced treatment to each instrument. The counterpoint is much more developed and complex, even overly so at times, but is marked out by interesting harmonic ideas. The beauty of Price’s music lies in its particular motifs, often inspired by music of popular origin. The second movement is absolutely fantastic in this respect, with a pizzicato passage reminiscent of a walking bass.
Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 9 in E flat major once again changes the fundamental structure of this musical form. Superimposed motifs, sometimes in tune, often out of tune, create a palpable tension. The ensemble wonderfully reproduces the intensity and violence of the emotions that the composer transcribed onto the score. In a cloud of resin and horsehair, the Dover Quartet ended this work brimming with introspective, unsettling creativity.
With a masterful touch, the Dover Quartet demonstrated all the virtuosity, lyricism and intensity that the string quartet repertoire has to offer. The quality of the ensemble’s sonorities are works in themselves. We look forward to seeing them live again!
