ABRAMYAN STRING QUARTET, Libby Gardner Concert Hall, University of Utah, Jan. 28.
Tuesday's concert by the Abramyan String Quartet was one of uncommon vitality and expressive power.
Presenting an uncompromising program of works by Haydn, Shostakovich and Beethoven, the four musicians (Utah Symphony colleagues Gerald Elias and Lynnette Stewart, violin; Scott Lewis, viola; and John Eckstein, cello) showed an uncanny sense of musicality and emotional depth.
There was a sad note to the evening, as well. Before the concert began, Elias announced to the audience in Libby Gardner Hall that this, the Abramyan's 10th season, would be its last. Citing a marked lack of rehearsal time for the group, given the four musicians' other commitments, Elias said it was the right thing to do. "We've decided that this being our 10th anniversary, it is time for us to go. Like Joe Di Maggio, we want to go out at the top of our game."
Despite the unexpected announcement — or possibly because of it — Tuesday's concert was one of the Abramyan's finest.
The evening opened with Haydn's Quartet in D major, op. 76, no. 5. The Abramyan gave an immaculate performance of this gem in Haydn's quartet output. The foursome played it superbly, with thoughtfulness, insight and tender feeling. Particularly striking was the group's interpretation of the shimmering slow movement. Here, the Abramyan perfectly captured the music's special mood of quiet resignation and gentle reflection.
After the Haydn, the four plunged headlong into Shostakovich's Quartet No. 8. One of the Russian composer's most disturbing chamber works, the Abramyan did full justice to it, playing with an intensity that brought out the powerful emotions that run through each of the quartet's five connected movements.
The concert concluded with Beethoven's Quartet in C major, op. 59, no. 3 ("Razumovsky"). Here, too, the Abramyan gave a compelling performance, playing the work with understanding, feeling and romantic passion, while never neglecting its lyricism and expressiveness.
The fugue finale was especially powerful. The four musicians imbued it with vibrancy and spirit, bringing the music to life with their forceful, driven interpretation.
E-MAIL: ereichel@desnews.com