Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

Photo By Andrew Page

Music reaches the soul when words are useless

By Andrew page

ajpage@vwc.edu

The Covington String Quartet, a tour de force in the classical music scene in Virginia Beach, recently held a concert in the Hofheimer Theater. I had never really been to a classical string concert before, and I learned after the fact that one does not clap between movements. Skeptical at first at the brochure’s claim that they are “an important musical force,” I left that night highly impressed. They proved to me that classical music is not just for music snobs.

The night consisted of three sets featuring “String Quartet in F Major, Op. 59 No. 1” by Beethoven;

“The Lark Quartet” by Haydn; a–nd music set to the 1910 film, Frankenstein.

The music that night was built on pure emotion, carried not by lyrics but by the melody of strings, something that is hard to find in the modern music scene. The movements in each set felt unique and utterly moving. The main draw of the show was the music for the silent film “Frankenstein,” a relatively new piece written by Japanese composer Yukiko Nishimura. The music accompanying the twelve minute film perfectly.

Each member of the quartet contributed something to the overall sound, making each member a real part of a collective effort to make a beautiful sound, while still managing to stand out with solo pieces and trading of focus.

The four are extremely skilled. Frank McKinster on cello was the clear backbone of the four. The two violinists, Greg Pinney and Luke Wedge, followed an interesting dueling/duet style, where the two would sometimes play to top the other, but then pull together in a synchronized beauty to make a high and striking sound. Finally, Will Hurd on viola acted as the proverbial frontman, not only setting melodies like McKinster, but going into crazy solos of his own. Hurd also introduced the pieces, and took a clear role as the face of the four. Even though they were individually strong, the four worked together beautifully to make fantastic music. They’re worth seeing over and over.

For more information, go to their website, covingtonstringquartet.com