SF Performances presents
The Gathering Storm featuring Robert Greenberg and the Alexander String Quartet
2013-12-07
St. John's Presbyterian Church
2727 College Ave, Berkeley, CA
10:00 AM, Saturday, December 7, 2013

[10:03 AM lights down, announcements from Ruth Felt]

1. [10:06 AM] Lecture
   [set ends 10:30 AM]

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976): Three Divertimenti for String Quartet (1936)

1. [10:31 AM] March
2. [10:35 AM] Waltz
3. [10:39 AM] Burlesque [cello string breaks at 10:40 AM, harsh! Pause for on-the-spot replacement – resume at the start of the movement at 10:44 AM]
   [set ends 10:48 AM]

[11:04 AM lights down, preliminary comments from Robert Greenberg]

1. [11:06 AM] Lecture
   [set ends 11:37 PM]

Pavel Haas (1899-1944): String Quartet No. 3, Op. 15 (1937-38)

1. [11:37 AM] Allegro moderato
2. [11:44 AM] Lento, ma non troppo e poco rubato
3. [11:50 AM] Thema con variazioni e fuga: Con moto; Allegro vivace
   [show ends 11:59 AM, no encore]

• Robert Greenberg: lecturer.

Alexander String Quartet

• Zakarias Grafilo: violin;
• Frederick Lifsitz: violin;
• Sandy Wilson: cello;
• Paul Yarbrough: viola.

Although RG's lecture was as witty and entertaining as ever, I couldn't help thinking that the first half suffered a bit too much from serialization syndrome – knowing that he would be returning to Britten in future lectures, there were entirely too many hanging threads of thought for my satisfaction. Nonetheless, as an introduction to the String Divertimenti, the lecture served its purpose, and probably helped deepen my appreciation for the ASQ's fine performance.

The tragic life-history of Pavel Haas consumed most of the second half lecture, leaving only a short bit of time for detailed analysis of his String Quartet No. 3. Consequently, I was thoroughly surprised with the conclusion of the work, ending in a rather triumphant major flourish after a thoroughly gloomy set of early movements. Speaking with Robert Greenberg after the show, he took pains to emphasize that he saw the ending not as emergence of a happy silver lining on a dark-lit scene, but instead as a final statement of defiance – the shouted, “I Am!” against the growing threat of fascism that surrounded Haas at the time of composition.

Back to the calendar!