Czech it Out!

By PIERRE KENYON
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

The Veronika Quartet provided a good audience at the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center stage with a Sunday afternoon of extraordinarily fine music.

Last things first here. I departed after the concert was over with a feeling of satisfaction and joy. The encore played by the VQ certainly put a smile on quite a few faces. It was a variation of Gershwin's "Nice Work If You Can Get It," played with zest and good humor in marked contrast to what we had heard in the rest of the program.

Well, I'm glad the VQ has the work they have, to follow through with the idea behind that jazzy and charming rendition that was performed by Veronica Afanassieva, violin; Karine Garibova, violin; Ekaterina Dobrotvorskaia, viola; and Mary Artmann, cello.

The program featured a fine guest artist, clarinetist Daniel Silver, who joined the VQ in a vibrant performance of Mozart's Stadler Quintet, K.581, composed just two years before the composer died.

As an aside, this piece was used in the final episode of the television series "M*A*S*H." How's that for a fine bit of musical trivia. Alfred Einstein called this quintet chamber music of the finest kind. And after hearing the performance by Silver and the VQ, I would agree.

Incidently, during the concert, I sat next to a clarinetist who plays with the Pueblo Symphony Orchestra. He knew the guest artist and said that he was a fine player. I certainly share his point of view after hearing him play.

There were melodies in this quintet which closely resembled music in Mozart's Clarinet Concerto which would explain why the piece sounded so familiar.

I hope that Silver returns soon for another engagement.

Two other major works were included in the program. One by Franz Schubert, the Quartett Zats in C Minor. And the other by Bedrich Smetana, the String Quartet in E Minor, "From My Life."

The Schubert piece is an unfinished work in one movement. The Schubert sound is unmistakable. It is so melodic and lyrical with a certain sweetness of harmony and tone. In playing many variations on the initial theme, the VQ was in fine form.

The four movements of the Smetana piece depict a certain part of the composer's life, as its name implies. The first movement with the viola taking the lead was supposed to portray his love of art. The second movement, which was quite obviously a bit raucous and carefree, was playful, and at times even funny, displaying perhaps a more frivolous time in the composer's life.

The third movement was introduced by solo cello. The mood was thoughtful and sentimental, showing an intensity of feelings which might be considered romantic. This was to portray the composer's love for the woman who became his wife. The VQ played vigorously in unison signifying a "oneness" perhaps? Then there was a sweet melodic tune denoting harmony with the second violin in the lead echoed by the viola, then cello. I felt a certain peace and serenity.

The fourth movement was joyous and included folk dance and folk themes reflecting Smetana's interest the national music of Bohemia.

This was wonderful piece of music, beautifully played by the VQ. It might be interesting to note that the composer wrote this fine music when he, like Beethoven, was totally deaf. And further, he suffered from tinnitus at the time having to listen to a piercing high E which, strangely, I thought, was played by the first violin in this fourth and final movement.

Altogether, it was an exciting and highly entertaining afternoon of first-class chamber music. We are very fortunate to have this fine quality of music in Pueblo.