In 2004 the world looked different than in 2024. But the beauty of the string quartet is eternal.
Earlier this month, there was some controversy around the Concertgebouw. The Jerusalem Quartet was supposed to perform, which sparked protests. Demonstrators argued that you couldn’t invite an Israeli quartet in the midst of such a grim war. The Concertgebouw initially caved and cancelled the performance. However, this decision immediately spraked a backlash. Should people be turned away solely based on their passport? And by the way, only one of the four members of the quartet actually came from Israel. The consensus shifted against the boycott, and the performance was allowed to take place.
In 2004, the world wasn’t under as extreme tension as now. Aside from the situation with Israel, relations with Russia were significantly better as well. As a result, it was no issue for the Russian Kopelman Quartet to perform in the Kleine Zaal. Here, we hear them play, among other pieces, a quartet by Tchaikovsky in E minor, the darkest key of all. On another occasion, since quartets frequently perform in the Kleine Zaal, we find a quartet from the Czech Republic. The Prazak Quartet also brings Czech music with them. We hear them perform a string quartet by Dvořák – what else?
The Giocondo Quartet is of a completely different story. In 2004, these four young women, or girls, were not yet ready for the Concertgebouw. They had just won the Princess Christina Competition and were now showcasing their talents in the Village Church of Capelle aan den IJssel.
Playlist
1. Pjotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky- String quartet no.3 in e-flat
2. Franz Schubert – Quartettsatz in c
3. Samuel Wesley – String quartet no. 2 in D
4. Joseph Haydn – String quartet opus 9/6
5. Willem Wander van Nieuwkerk – Pavan & Estampida (from Kalenda Maya)
6. James McLeod – Two Guitars
7. Antonín Dvořák – String quartet no. 13 in G
