Avalon String Quartet

Avalon Quartet at Mostly Music

By M.L. Rantala, for Hyde Park Herald, published on December 6, 2006

“Immediately their precise and well-honed ensemble work was evident, with clear unified attacks and phrasing. In the opening “Allegro moderato”, Magniere showed off his sweetness of tone and deft finger work. The quartet didn’t seem to fully exploit the tension in the following “Adagio” and so the movement dragged a little. But the Minuet movement danced along with gentle rolling, and the rapid-paced finale had wonderful transparency, even in the fastest moving parts. The drama and contrasts were well-drawn, so that the conclusion was striking… The final work on the program was the magnificent Quartet in C Sharp Minor, Op 131 by Beethoven… the quartet took to it with gusto, starting with a clear presentation, both sombre and measured, of the inner layering of the opening fugue. The following movement, with a theme that sounds almost like a folk tune, was suffused with energy. The theme and variations of the “Andante” were carefully delineated, while the famous “Presto” movement was full of rollicking excitement. They filled the final movement with clear punctuation, high drama, and driving dynamism. It was no surprise that the crowd was pleased…”