The Maturity of Man: a Child at Play
Evening Music | May 6, 2010
“The maturity of man? That means, to have reacquired the seriousness one had as a child at play.” When Nietzche wrote those words, was he thinking of Mozart’s String Quintet in C?
Beethoven’s Serenade No. 6 in D is a cheerful six-movement trio that is given special voice by its choice of instruments, flute, violin, and viola, allowing the viola’s resonant individuality to be clearly heard as it anchors the bottom line. Romping through this delightful work are flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal, violinist Gerard Jarry, and violist Serge Colot.
Taking us well into our second hour is Mozart’s String Quintet No. 3 in C. Discussing its sunny final movement, Alfred Einstein wrote: “When Mozart is fortunate in his art he finds an idea at once godlike and childlike, an idea that has that ‘second naïveté’ of which only maturity and mastery are capable.” Violist Franz Beyer joins the Melos String Quartet in this evening’s performance.
Our final hour may be our finest, on this evening, at least. Violinist Sarah Chang was recorded live with the Berlin Philharmonic back in November of 1996, as she performed Sibelius’s Violin Concerto, with Mariss Jansons conducting. Those concerts marked her first performance with Berlin Philharmonic, as well as her first recording of this work. Die Welt commented on the “beautiful, unwavering intensity” of her playing, which we are pleased to let you can hear for yourselves.
Beethoven’s Serenade No. 6 in D is a cheerful six-movement trio that is given special voice by its choice of instruments, flute, violin, and viola, allowing the viola’s resonant individuality to be clearly heard as it anchors the bottom line. Romping through this delightful work are flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal, violinist Gerard Jarry, and violist Serge Colot.
Taking us well into our second hour is Mozart’s String Quintet No. 3 in C. Discussing its sunny final movement, Alfred Einstein wrote: “When Mozart is fortunate in his art he finds an idea at once godlike and childlike, an idea that has that ‘second naïveté’ of which only maturity and mastery are capable.” Violist Franz Beyer joins the Melos String Quartet in this evening’s performance.
Our final hour may be our finest, on this evening, at least. Violinist Sarah Chang was recorded live with the Berlin Philharmonic back in November of 1996, as she performed Sibelius’s Violin Concerto, with Mariss Jansons conducting. Those concerts marked her first performance with Berlin Philharmonic, as well as her first recording of this work. Die Welt commented on the “beautiful, unwavering intensity” of her playing, which we are pleased to let you can hear for yourselves.
