Chamber Heaven

We don't have enough chamber music in Lansing

The only two outlets for small instrumental ensembles seem to be the Lansing Symphony Chamber Concerts and Michigan State University School of Music's faculty and student concerts.

Maybe because of chamber music's infrequency here is why March 20th's concert at the music school's auditorium seemed like such a miraculous gift.

The program was part of the 12th annual Cello Plus weekend, organized by MSU cello professor Suren Bagratuni.

There were concerts on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, but regretfully I only attended
Friday's concert. On this particular evening, Bagratuni only programmed two chamber works: the rarely heard String Quintet Op 111 in G major by Brahms and the famous Souvenir de Florence, a string sextet, but Tchaikovsky.

We must begin by talking about the extraordinary musicians - none of whom were born in the US. Sitting in the first violin chair throughout evening was Ilya Kaler, a brilliant Russian who has been compared to Heifitz both in style and perfection and I must that that the comparison is apt.

Literally on second fiddle was a 27-year-old graduate student (Walter Verdehr, teacher), Carlota Amargos Rubio, a strong impressive violinist who kept up this crowd of strong, dominant players. Two superb violists were Yizhak Schotten, viola professor at U of M and MSU's new plum in the string faculty, violist Yuri Gandelsman who served as principal viola in the Israel Philharmonic. Rounding out the group was Suren Bagratuni, virtuoso cellist and his student, Victor Coo (Tchaikovsky only).

The Brahms is a forceful and heavy piece that challenges the mind and the heart. These strong players displayed wondrous technique and musicianship. With just one more instrument than a string quartet (a viola), it was amazing how the music sounded so totally different, almost like a full orchestra. The orchestration was dense and although they played superbly, the ensemble was sometimes overly gruff and aggressive. It was almost like the world-class string players were trying to out-do one another.

But everything came together in the ravishing Souvenir de Florence. This beautifully romantic work was played with spectacular technique but also with great warmth and delicacy. Violist Gandelsman stunned the audience with his full and sensuous tone. Kaler, who was impressive through the concert, was astounding in this piece. Often, The Souvenir can sound sugary and sweet, but in the hands of these musicians, the music transcended the slurpy factor. The true, dark Russian soul of the Tchaikovsky came through.

The ensemble playing was masterful The melodic lines were passed from one play to next with playfulness and sensitivity. The audience sprang to its feet when the music ended and would not let the musicians leave the stage. They were brought back for five or six ovations. Everyone in the auditorium knew that they had hears something very special that night.