CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF SALT LAKE CITY, Kuss Quartet, with Jon Nakamatsu, piano, Libby Gardner Concert Hall, University of Utah, Nov. 19
Kuss Quartet
The Chamber Music Society of Salt Lake City scored points with its audience Monday when it presented the Kuss Quartet with guest pianist Jon Nakamatsu. But then, the society always scores big points with chamber music aficionados with the groups it brings to Libby Gardner Concert Hall. However, this concert was a special treat. Not only did the Kuss play two major works from the repertoire – Mozart’s D major Quartet, K. 575, and Janácek’s Kreutzer Sonata – it topped off an already fabulous evening with a magnificent performance of Schumann’s Piano Quintet, op. 44.
The Berlin-based Kuss Quartet is without question among the elite in the quartet world. There aren’t too many other groups that can come close to these four musicians in terms of musicality, technique, expression and sheer artistry. Their interpretative skills are breathtaking and matched only by their impeccable musicianship.
The ensemble opened the program with Mozart’s wonderful K. 575, the first of the so called Prussian Quartets, so named because they were written for the king of Prussia, who was an exceptional cellist. The Kuss brought out the inner lyricism of this work with beautifully crafted phrases and subtly nuanced expressions. It was an almost understated reading which made it all the more stunning.
The Mozart was paired with Janacek’s gripping quartet. The foursome captured the intensity of expression with their well delineated and crafted playing. The Kreutzer Sonata Quartet teems with unbridled passion and the Kuss captured it dazzlingly with its powerful and vibrant interpretation.
Jon Nakamatsu (Photo Credit: Sarah Shatz)
As wonderful as these two pieces were, the real show stopper was the Schumann quintet. Hearing Nakamatsu and the Kuss play one is struck by how natural they sound together. It was a remarkable collaboration of like minded musicians, and their reading of the Schumann was nothing less than brilliant.
The work is infused with passion and the five captured that with their richly crafted expressive playing. It was an effusive account that brought this piece to life.