The Florida Keys Concert Association presented its fourth concert of the season with a string quartet on Feb. 13. The concert was sponsored by Dr. Thomas Morrison, of Doc on the Rock Direct Primary Care in Key Largo.
The concert featured two musical pieces by L. V. Beethoven (1770-1827) and by F. Schubert (1797 -1828).
Beethoven wrote the Quartet in 1806 as a commission by Prince Razumovsly, an ambassador of the Russian Empire in Vienna. Beethoven’s musical works of that period reflected the composer’s intense ups and downs — his professional success and rapidly deteriorating health.
F. Schubert wrote his String Quartet No. 15 in G major in 1826. This was one of the last pieces written in the final years of Schubert’s life. In this piece Schubert, like Beethoven, reflects his inner world: A nature of human life, a journey of life and his personal emotions. Schubert was 29 years old when he composed this piece, and was undergoing episodes of his illness that haunted his mind.
The difference between the two compositions is described by Timothy Judd as such: “While Beethoven often takes us on a dramatic journey with an ultimate sense of resolution, Schubert’s music can be less goal-oriented and more open-ended.” When Beethoven appeared confident and sounded strong, Schubert spoke softly and whispered in the air.
An award-winning Balourdet String Quartet was created in 2018 in the mountains of New Mexico at the Taos School of Music, when three members of the quartet, Justin DeFilippis, violin; Angela Bae, violin; and Russell Houston, cello, first bonded as friends. The name Balourdet is after a French Chef extraordinaire, Antoine Balourdet, whom they met at the mountains. The chef’s love for food, music and life was an inspiration to create their own ensemble. The fourth member of the quartet, Benjamin Zannoni, viola, joined the group soon after. They are a very close circle of friends who live close and enjoy spending time together playing music and cooking gourmet food.
Each member of the quartet graduated from Rice University. Before the ensemble, each one of them were successful performers. They played with famous artists and orchestras. The whole quartet graduated from a prestigious New England Conservatory String Quartet Program under the tutelage of Cleveland Quartet cellist Paul Katz.
The average age of the musicians is around 29 years old. That said, their musical performance was charming, emotional and vigorously enthusiastic. Every movement was performed with perfection to each sound. Additionally to the sounds of music, the musicians demonstrated emotions in their faces and in their bodies.
“I am a fan of chamber music,” Morrison said. “I love the harmonies and the energy between the musicians. I love hearing and watching how they coordinate the playing”.
The final FLKCA concerts feature pianist Eric Lu on Monday, Feb. 26 at Marathon High School and Tuesday, Feb. 27 at Coral Shores High School Eric Lu, pianist. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at FLKCA.com.
— written by Asta Kraskouskas, associate with the Florida Keys Concert Association.
