Tuesday, March 2, 2010

"Pure Musical Virtues"

It must be odd, the life of a professional string quartet. The Borodins travelled from the depths of the Russian winter to the tail end of an Australian summer for their current tour. While many locals were glad of the cool change that greeted Sydney on the 1st of March, the Borodins were less keen to see the sun replaced by clouds, commenting on the efficiency of Australian weather and the immediate change from summer to Autumn. The Quartet did, however, manage to put their disappointment aside and deliver a stunning performance on Monday night. Sydney Morning Herald reviewer Peter McCallum writes "The Borodin Quartet's inscrutable intonation and balance captured [Shostakovich's] comic-tragic quality to perfection. Each phrase is shaped to bring out its musical essence, yet nothing is ever exaggerated and Shostakovich's double-sided message emerges with beauty and unvarnished clarity... what one values about a masterly group like the Borodin Quartet is its focus on pure musical virtues – excellent phrasing, balance, careful listening and impeccable intonation." Read the full review here.

Musica Viva's audience is not shy of expressing their own opinions either, and we've had some great entries in our So You Think You Can Write Competition. Adelaide concert-goers still have the chance to enter. Simply email your review within 48 hours of the concert to knowthescore@mva.org.au. The five best entries (both positive and negative reviews can be winners) will receive a double pass to the second concert in Musica Viva's season - The Harp Consort. The winner will also receive a 8CD set ABC Classic 100 Chamber Music valued at $89.95.

Speaking of the ABC, Emma Ayres of Classic Breakfast has done a great interview with Igor Naidin of the Borodin Quartet as part of her Gracenotes podcast series. Check it out here.

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