Episode 17: Quartetto

This episode features a survey of the sounds of string quartets and other foursomes, captured in concert on the Heifetz stage. Capped off by a performance of the Brahms Piano Quartet in G minor from the Blackfriars Playhouse of the American Shakespeare Center, featuring Heifetz Institute founder Daniel Heifetz and the late, great cellist Lynn Harrell.

This Episode’s Playlist

J.S. Bach, arr. N. Kitchen: Prelude No. 18 in G-sharp minor, BWV 887
from the Well Tempered Clavier Book II
Borromeo Quartet: NIcholas Kitchen, violin | Kristopher Tong, violin | Mai Motobuchi, viola | Yeesun Kim, cello
The Kitchen Studio, Boston, MA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 06.21.2021

Beethoven: String Quartet No. 7 in F Major, Op. 59, No. 3, “Razumovsky”
I. Allegro
Kenneth Naito, violin | Sory Park, violin | Steven Baloue, viola | Dominic Lee, cello
Blackfriars Playhouse, American Shakespeare Center, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.05.2019

Samuel Barber: String Quartet, Op. 11
II. Adagio
Rachell Ellen Wong, violin | Daniel Aizensthadt, violin | Matthew Cohen, viola | Clare Bradford, cello
Galvin School Auditorium, Wakefield, MA
Heifetz Institute Recording & Wakefield Community Access TV Production | 04.10.2016

Dvořák: Bagatelles, Op. 47
II. Tempo Di Menuetto
III. Allegretto Scherzando
V. Poco Allegro
Yezu Woo, violin | Julia Angelov, violin | Coleman Itzkoff, cello | Florence Jowers, harmonium (1915, built by the Putnam Organ Co., Staunton, VA)
Great Hall, Blackburn Inn & Conference Center, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 03.26.2021

Respighi: Italiana fr. Ancient Airs & Dances [excerpt]
SoHyun Ko, violin | Minchae Kim, violin | Jerome McCoy, viola | Dilshod Narzaillaev, cello
Francis Auditorium, Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 12.16.2022

Brahms: Piano Quartet in G minor, Op. 25
III. Andante con Moto
IV. Rondo alla Zingarese
Daniel Heifetz, violin | Caterina Longhi, viola | Lynn Harrell, cello | Dina Vainshtein, piano
Blackfriars Playhouse, American Shakespeare Center, Staunton, VA
Heifetz Institute Recording | 07.19.2012​

Go Deeper

• Read founder Daniel Heifetz‘ appreciation and reminiscences of the memorable week that cellist Lynn Harrell spent in Staunton teaching at the Heifetz Institute, capped off by the performance heard in this episode.
• At the turn of the 20th century, the biggest, most bustling business in our home city of Staunton, Virginia was the W.W. Putnam Organ Works, which claimed to be “the largest exclusive reed organ factory in the world.” Read about how this vi!tal piece of Staunton’s musical past is connected to a present-day performance in this episode.
• From Funerals to Festivals, the Curious Journey of Samuel Barber’s ‘Adagio for Strings’ is a great listen from NPR that traces how the American composer’s contemplative second movement to his 1936 string quartet became a national elegy.

More at heifetzinstitute.org