Schubert on a note on the juvenile – The Time

The Quartet Girard and cellist, geneva Nadège Rochat have played the famous “Quintet for two cellos,” on Tuesday evening at the Conservatory of Geneva

The Quartet Girard, two brothers and two sisters. Originating in Avignon (the family has nine children in total!), they claimed, in 2011, a 3rd Prize at the international Contest of Geneva. In concert Monday evening at the Conservatory of Geneva, they were playing Boccherini and Schubert with cellist Nadège Rochat.

also Read : Nadège Rochat plays with the angels on his Stradivarius

What is striking is the colour French of this set. There is a clarity in the sound, an elegance that reflects the characteristics of this school. The Quintet for strings in d minor, op. 13 G 280 of Boccherini opens on a dialogue between the two cellos. The Geneva Nadège Rochat plays with natural and musicality, based on the balanced sound of the Quartet Girard. In the slow movement, her part requires that she climbs in the extreme high register, which is a challenge: she can sing the melodic line, in spite of some differences of accuracy. Cellist Lucie Girard also has beautiful interventions solo. It is appreciated to be divided between the musicians, even when they could be more assertive.

Interpretation which is defended

The Quartettsatz in c minor of Schubert is played in the correct way, but the dark side, tortured, punctuated by sudden illuminations, is not there. The Quintet for two cellos D 956 succeeds. There is a certain freshness, momentum (the “Scherzo” seized of vigorous), a natural which make her light to this music. “The Adagio” (one of the summits of chamber music) is played without effusion. But still a little on the surface of the emotion; the phrases of the first violin, a fragility to skin, such as sighs, could be more expressive and poetic. The Scherzo is lively (despite a few drops of voltage in the “Trio”), and the final turns out to be animated.

In total, this interpretation is defended quite well built, but lacks a bit of personality. The Quatuor Girard must still mature in order to assert themselves fully, and hope to enter the great court.