Colorado String Quartet plays on gender politics

World-renowned female group awes with seamless performance

You missed gender-based politics on Tuesday night if you missed the Colorado String Quartet's performance in Finney Chapel. Live chamber music is all about chemistry and democracy, placing it apart from unanimous orchestras or autonomous soloists. The Colorado Quartet is an all-female group, who, after winning two of the world's highest honors in 1983, skyrocketed to international fame and notoriety. Witnessing their absolutely fluid, insightful playing, it is easy to see why they are acclaimed on four continents as "one of the finest quartets of our time." Effortless team work is what the group appears to achieve, and in relationships that are uniquely feminine.

Skimming through last week's concert programs, the evening came in first for most heart-warming, with Beethoven's string Quartet in A major, Quartet No. 2 Intimate Letters of Janacek, and the Schubert Quintet in C major.

First violinist Julie Rosenfeld proved an effective leader and brought in the audience with her finesse and bravura. The Andante cantabile of the Beethoven showed Rosenfeld's versatility as a showperson and as accompaniment. The dynamic of the group became spirited for this movement of theme and variations, making it the crown jewel of the first half.

Deborah Redding, second violin, and violist Francesca Martin Silos were flawlessly synchronized in the more homophonic texture of Beethoven and were later excellent lyricists in the Janacek and Schubert. Cellist Diane Chaplin, a strikingly forward and honest player, created a strong support for the more flamboyant first violinist.

Janacek's late work, Intimate Letters, deals literally with matters of the heart. The composer, at age 67, fell desperately in love with a very young woman, who was also very married. Janacek writes the second string quartet like an aged man, setting love and desire in simple lines of music, with a sense of purity interpreted exquisitely by the Colorado String Quartet. However, torment and misery inherent in Janacek's situation never sang through in this particular performance.

With the same awkwardness experienced with the Cleveland Orchestra crammed into Finney Chapel a few weeks ago, the Colorado Quartet, perched at center stage, lost much of their sound to the 150 year-old rafters. There was a significant volume boost when Professor of Violincello Peter Rejto joined them for the Schubert.

Ending this romantic program with the Schubert Quintet could not have been more fitting. Rejto's precision and clarity slipped seamlessly into the group's molding and the ensemble of five were beautiful to watch.

Rosenfeld pulled out all the stops in the last movement, leading the group off the stage as she had led them on hours before.

The Colorado Quartet is the Quartet-in-Residence at the Conservatory for 1998-99. Along with coaching chamber groups, the members will continue to conduct masterclasses and lectures throughout the year.

Is it Girl Power?: Talent and panache mark this extraordinary all-female quartet. (photo by Stephen Menyhard)