VERONA QUARTET, APRIL 30. 2023

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Chamber Music Society of Utica - 82 years of excellence!

On Sunday, April 30, the Chamber Music Society of Utica concluded its 2022-23 season with an outstanding concert by the Verona Quartet.

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The Quartet serves on the faculty of Oberlin College and Conservatory as the the Quartet-in-Residence.They have appeared in major concert halls across four continents and garnered numerous awards.

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In her introduction to the concert, CMSU President Susanna Watling promised that the performance would be a “knockout”. The program, which had been played two days earlier at the ensemble’s Carnegie Hall debut, included works by Bartok, Bacewicz and Beethoven.

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The first piece played was by the relatively unknown female composer Grazyna Bacewicz, and indeed it was a knockout! The group’s consummate musicianship, technical prowess and intimacy with the music made it seem as if one person were playing all four instruments. The New York Times had commented that “their performances emanate from the spirit of storytelling”, and I too was mesmerized by the ensemble’s ability to show mastery and communicate the music as if telling a truly dramatic story!

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The violist and the cellist of the Quartet each offered thoughtful and informative discussions of the program and of the composers. It was pointed out that all three composers were accomplished instrumentalists themselves, thereby enhancing their creative and compositional skills.

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The Verona Quartet left me with a feeling of exhilaration! A standing ovation was well deserved!

 

Special thanks to our sponsors the Gilbert and Ildiko Butler Family Foundation.

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Anita Humer

Professional pianist, accompanist and piano teacher
Staff pianist at Colgate University

Serves on boards of CMSU, the Leschetizky Piano Organization, NYC

and the Monday Evening Music Club of Norwich NY