These players keep getting better and better

Music / “Elevation”, the Ellery String Quartet. At Wesley Uniting Church, June 18. Reviewed by ROB KENNEDY.

THE longer I live, and the more music I hear, I become further convinced that the string quartet offers the greatest musical experience.

The Ellery String Quartet is a group formed by ANU School of Music students based in Canberra. They are Brad Tham, violin; Anika Chan, violin; Pippa Newman, viola, James Monro, cello.

Opening with Anton Webern’s, “Langsamer Staz”, composed in 1905, this one slow movement piece was said to be part of a string quartet, but never made it. It’s deeply sensitive, almost sentimental.

This work is a complete piece of music in one movement. Every player has distinctive and expressive lines that fit perfectly for their instrument. They brought the warmth of the music out with a depth of feeling that belies these players years. The deep soulful notes and melodies surprise and delight, especially coming from a composer better known for his 12-tone music. However, the piece may have been better suited to the middle of the program.

“Plan and Elevation”, by the American composer Caroline Shaw begins as a meditation before rhythmic motion pushes it into action. It shifts across styles over its 15 minutes and it’s all interesting and diverse music.

It stimulates on many levels. Moving across dynamics, techniques and styles while remaining joined is not a simple task, but Shaw does it wonderfully. Performing it requires players who work closely together while taking in the ever-changing themes and creating a unified whole. Ellery did this with accuracy and determination. This was another work that is like a small universe.

Ellery turned it on when they swung into one of my favourite pieces of music, the “String Quartet, No. 2”, by Serge Prokofiev. Filled with forthright folk tunes that are turned into something special, parts are almost singable and danceable. It swings. The players swayed with the music; such is its dynamic drive.

In three movements, the second is a call from the heart, especially for the cello. Listeners can lose themselves in this captivating music. It was playful and lighthearted, deeply moving and full of life, not only the writing but also the playing. Like a scherzo, the final movement marches with tunes and leg-bouncing rhythms. It’s written as four individual lines sounding as one. When all the lines come together, it’s an explosion of joy and life.

They encored with a delightful version of Eric Satie’s “Gymnopédie” No. 1, titled “Satiesfaction”, re-composed by Stephan Koncz.

These players keep getting better and better. When the Ellery String Quartet performs get along, because you will miss out on something special if you don’t.

Related