Dante three

A week ago to the last of the three concerts given, as part of this year's concert season at the Dorking Halls, by the Dante String Quartet.

Haydn Op.76 No.5, Schumann Op.41 No.2 and Beethoven Op.59 No.3. Haydn and Beethoven very much what we have come to expect, a little disappointed in the previously little if not un-known Schumann.

Yet again, missed the transition between the third and fourth movements of the Beethoven, not having picked up the lack of pause from the programme before the event. Notwithstanding, a vigorous and effective performance of a very fine work.

A movement of a Stanford quartet by way of an encore. That is to say Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, an Irish composer from the second half of the nineteenth century. A chap of whom the quartet are making an intense study. A contemporary and rival of Arthur Sullivan, for whom see references 4 and 5. Unkindly lampooned as 'Brahms and water' - but, perhaps, a neglected genius?

We took tea and cake from the café in Dorking Halls, thinking that the alternative Burford Bridge Hotel was unlikely to do better. Tea and cake fine, except that I managed to smash one of their cups on the way from bar to chair. The young man, a namesake if not a relative of our own Mr. Bridger of reference 6, was very good about it and cleared up without fuss.

PS: the Quartet advertised an upcoming performance of all three Razumovsky quartets at an upcoming concert at the Menuhin Hall, a place we visit from time to time.  With the performance being combined with a solo performance of the life of the composer by an actor. We thought that, unusual format apart, this was a bit too much in one sitting.

Reference 1: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2019/02/dante-two.html.

Reference 2: http://dorkingconcertgoers.org.uk/. What will they be bringing us next season?

Reference 3: 'The Dante Quartet (including alumnus and current YMS teacher Oscar Perks) present a new concert drama about the life of Beethoven, written by Clare Norburn. Half concert, half play, the work follows actor David Timson as Beethoven on his personal journey through his troubled life, his battle with deafness and his development as a composer. This concert focuses on the three Razumovsky Quartets Op 59, which are performed in their entirety within the drama' - Menuhin Hall - 11th June.

Reference 4: https://psmv3.blogspot.com/2018/09/sullivan.html.

Reference 5: https://psmv3.blogspot.com/2018/09/nymph.html.

Reference 6: https://stamfordresidents.org/. Bridger is not a common name, so I would not be surprised if the Epsom one did turn out to be some kind of a relative of the Dorking one. The Residents' Association being the controlling group on our local council, the people going in for a protracted and expensive repaving of our market square.

Reference 7: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2019/02/trivia.html. All about the market square.