ST Lawrence STRING QUARTET
REPERTOIRE
program offerings for 2022-23 season
Doug Balliet: “Zefiro Tornado”, performed with Purcell: Fantasia on One Note.
(composed in 2019 for SLSQ)
Beethoven: String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132
Dvorak: String Quartet in G Major, Op. 106
Franck: String Quartet in D Major
Osvaldo Golijov: New octet for SLSQ plus 4 local string players (see below)
Osvaldo Golijov: two new arrangements for the SLSQ: Astor Piazzolla’s Escualo and
the traditional Yiddish song, Arum dem Fayer
Haydn: Quartet Op. 76, No. 1 in G-Major
Haydn: Quartet Op. 76, No. 2 in D-Minor (“Fifths”)
Haydn: Quartet Op. 76, No. 3 in C-Major (“Emperor”)
Haydn: Quartet Op. 76, No. 4 in Bb-Major (“Sunrise”)
Haydn: Quartet Op. 76, No. 5 in D-Major (“Largo”)
Haydn: Quartet, Op. 76, No. 6 in Eb-Major
Korngold: String Quartet #3 in D Major, Op. 34
Mozart: String Quartet in E-flat Major, K. 428
Paul Wiancko: Paul Wiancko: String Quintet No. 1 "Tiny Doors to Big Worlds" (2021) (click here for a sample of another Wiancko composition)
Osvoldo Golijov new project, "Ever Yours" for String Octet
SLSQ are thrilled to announce a new creation and a unique collaborative venture: an octet for strings by the renowned Osvaldo Golijov. The new work offers presenters an opportunity to foster an unusual collaboration and connection between a long-established ensemble (in this case, the SLSQ) and four locally based “solo" string players (two violins, viola, cello), who may in fact be soloists, orchestral section leaders, or exceptionally talented conservatory or university students.
Special Offering: “Haydn Discovery”, an in-concert exploration of a Haydn string quartet as the first half of a program, led by Geoff Nuttall.
Collaborations:
SLSQ is happy to offer collaborations with various musicians, including cellist Paul Wiancko (featuring his newly commissioned cello quintet) and pianists Elizabeth Rowe (the Thuille Piano Quintet, Op. 20), Stephen Prutsman (the Korngold Piano Quintet, Op. 15), Inon Barnaton, and Anne-Marie McDermott.
See below for specific suggested program combinations
08/2021
Suggested Programs – St. Lawrence String Quartet (21/22 season):
1) Haydn’s Embrace
Haydn: Op. 76, No. 1
Purcell: Fantasia on One Note
Doug Balliett: Zefiro Tornado (based on Purcell: Fantasia on One Note)
Golijov: the traditional Yiddish song, Arum demFayer
Haydn: Op. 76, No. 6
2) (Intentionally removed)
3) Tornado: a whirlwind tour from 1680 to the present
Mozart: K. 428
Purcell: Fantasia on One Note
Doug Balliett: Zefiro Tornado (based on Purcell: Fantasia on One Note)
Dvorak: Op. 106
4) Prodigies and Passion: César and the Wolfgangs
Mozart: K. 428
Korngold: String Quartet #3
Franck: String Quartet in D Minor
5) The 76’ers: A Haydn Revolution
Haydn: Four Op. 76 quartets:
Op 76/4 (“Sunrise”)
Op 76/2 (“Quinten”)
Op 76/5 (“Largo”)
Op. 76/3 (“Emperor”)
6) Haydn “Discovery”
Haydn: Discovery presentation, Op. 76, No. 3 (“Emperor) or [presenter choice] Op. 76, No. 2 (“Quinten”)
--intermission--
[presenter choice] of the following: Beethoven Op. 132 or Dvorak Op. 106 or Franck
7) Dance Party!! (one-hour version)
Haydn menuets alternating with: Piazzolla/Golijov Tango, Dvorak Op. 106 Scherzo, a movement from Bartók #5, Kevin Volans “White Man Sleeps”, waltzes, etc.
OR (full-length program)
SLSQ Dance Party (as above) / intermission / Dvorak 106
8) Crazy Eights
Mozart: K 428
Osvaldo Golijov: “Tenebrae” (recomposed for string octet)
Haydn: Op. 76, No. 5
Golijov: "Ever Yours" - New octet for SLSQ plus 4 local string players (2 violins, viola, cello)
9) Perfection and Premiere – the Power of Five Friends
Paul Wiancko: Quintet for 2 violins, viola, and 2 cellos (composed in 2021 for SLSQ)
Schubert: Quintet in C-Major for 2 violins, viola, and 2 cellos
06/2022
HAYDN DISCOVERY – an ongoing special project from St. Lawrence String Quartet
Since 2014 the St. Lawrence String Quartet has offered “Haydn Discovery”, a unique in-concert presentation to help focus a spotlight on the seminal quartets of Franz Josef Haydn. You can access video examples on the David Rowe Artists website (under SLSQ repertoire).
Most are aware that Haydn is considered the “father” of the string quartet format, and indeed the evolution between his first (op. 0 – really! - from 1762) to final (Op. 103, from 1803) efforts in the genre is astounding.
But on today’s concert programs, Haydn is often the “opening act”, and treated as such – pleasant, unchallenging music to set the stage for the real “meat” of the program (Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Britten, Shostakovich, Adams, etc…..). Sadly, even musicians do not always treat him with proper respect, conserving their energy for the works ahead.
Well, Geoff Nuttall and the St. Lawrence String Quartet are here to set things right! It is time Haydn receives his due as a brilliant genius and master, and while SLSQ have been playing his works with characteristic passion and commitment since their first concert in 1989, they now aim to advance the cause through this creative program option.
The essential idea is to have Geoff lead a “Discovery Session” where Haydn’s unique and revolutionary attributes are examined in a respectful, informative, yet highly entertaining fashion. A quartet will be explored and unpacked from various perspectives, and then performed for an audience who will listen with fresh (or refreshed) ears. This approach- which Geoff calls “active listening” – is intended for everyone, whether attending their first or 500th concert. Even those who know the music well will gain new insight into the magic of Haydn. And Geoff is the perfect guide for this journey! To quote the New York Times fabulous profile, Geoff is: “The Jon Stewart of chamber music…He has established a new style of presentation that juxtaposes the ridiculous with the sublime, delves into serious musicology and casually uses technology. In short, he is subtly redefining what a chamber music concert can be.”
The primary format is to have “Haydn Discovery” as the first half of a program (it is between 45-55 minutes), with the second half comprising works by other composers (without commentary).
Note: of course SLSQ continues to play standard format programs with no commentary, including one (or sometimes two) Haydn quartets. We just want you to be aware of this option as you consider your desired SLSQ program!