On Sunday, March 15th, 2015, the Bryant Park Quartet appeared in concert at the glorious Phelps Mansion Museum in Binghamton, New York. The quartet appeared directly under the large chandelier that graces the ballroom of this extraordinary mansion. Their program was entitled "Time Capsule," wherein segments of string quartets were heard rather than complete pieces. Actually, a most innovative idea. By doing this, the quartet's idea of a 'time capsule' made much sense to those at the well-attended concert. From Josquin (1500) to the music of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven (complete Grosse Fugue), Brahms, Debussy, Morton Feldman, Caroline Shaw (b. 1982). Especially attractive and unknown to most was Caroline Shaw's piece entitled Entr'Acte for String Quartet composed in 2011. One heard suggestions of Berlioz to Paganini all culled together to create a memorable and ingratiating musical message.
The Bryant Park Quartet is domiciled in New York City and consists of Anna Elashvili, violinist (who wore a pleasing smile throughout her performance, obviously enjoying this concert), Ben Russell, violinist (who also presented his own piece It's Happening,, composed in 2014; Nathan Schram, viola, and cellist Tomoko Fujita. The quartet has a balanced sound and grand sonority.
What prompts these comments is that the encore was entitled "Cherokee Shuffle," music you might hear by country musicians, such as Clay County (who recorded a vocals version). It brought the audience to their feet wanting more (we got no more), but I must say, Binghamton, New York enjoyed a superb chamber recital in the Phelps Mansion Museum's annual series of "Chamber Music at the Phelps."
You can learn more about the Bryant Park Quartet at their web site: http://www.bryantparkquartet.com. You can also learn more about the Phelps Mansion Museum at their web site: www.http://phelpsmansion.org/ ♫
