String quartet to bring the exquisite sounds of classical music to Revelstoke

Martin Krátký is the Kamloops Symphony’s principal cellist. Photo: Contributed

Discover the joy of classical music at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre on Sunday, Mar. 20 with the Sycamore String Quartet.

The program features music from great classical composers, including Schubert and Haydn. The Mountaineer caught up with Martin Krátký, Kamloops Symphony’s principal cellist, to find out more.

Q&A with Martin Krátký

RM: First off, is there a story or reasoning behind using Sycamore for the name of the quartet?

The longevity of the sycamore tree is symbolic of the timeless appeal of classic music which the Sycamore String Quartet plays. Photo: Heather (CC 2.0)

Playing together for almost three years, we chose a tree to embody the spirit of our partnership and the music we realize in collaboration.

Not only does the Sycamore tree have one of the densest canopies among temperate hardwoods, it also has great longevity, lasting up to 600 years. The art music tradition similarly offers dense, meaningful utterances with great lasting power.

RM: For those unfamiliar with the programme, what is the essence of the show? Is the music light-hearted or dramatic and dark?

Our program progresses from brilliance and humour (Haydn) to Bulgarian folk music and finally a melancholically exquisite Schubert. Haydn, who virtually created the string quartet medium, is at his peak in a late quartet brimming with enthusiasm.

Then the Bulgarian composer Marin Goleminov takes us into a rural, fairytale world with five vignettes inspired by his country’s folk music tradition.

Schubert’s “Rosamunde” quartet caps our recital — it’s a masterpiece that’s wistful and atmospheric. We love to create the delicate colours and moods that shade this mostly sombrero piece. The sun does shine through, and much of the part-writing sparkles, but at heart, the music does seem to emerge from a tortured, intensely romantic soul.

RM: Do any of the pieces give the spotlight to any of your members and their instruments? Such as a solo, or is there a piece that hears more cello than violin?

The cello. Photo: Marco Tedaldi (CC 2.0)

The question of whether one instrument is especially featured isn’t as easy to answer.

The Haydn quartet is fairly democratic for something written in 1799 — anticipating Beethoven perhaps. It’s worth noticing the busy textures, the dialogues between the violin and cello, the frantic Minuet, and the “Hungarian”/gypsy flavour of the Finale, something shared with the Schubert.

Everyone gets a solo in the Bulgarian pieces, painting a scene with many diverse characters telling their story, singing their unique song. Schubert’s textures and nuanced phrases create very broad, long-breathed phrases.

RM: The promotion for the show comments on Hayden’s humour and describes Schubert’s Rosamunde as a “suave love song.” Can you expand on this?

I think some of this has also expanded on your last question! We love the intensity, the intimacy of string quartet playing — it’s often called a ‘four-way marriage’ — and totally believe that any one, young and old alike, will be inspired by hearing this incredible rep played live in such a resonant venue.

Anything you would like to add?

We can’t wait to unpack in Revy and create some living, dense sounds on your beautiful stage.

Program

Quartet musicians: Martin Krátký (cello), Cvetozar Vutev (violin), Annette Dominik (violin) and Ashley Kroecher (viola).

• Haydn String Quartet #1 in G Major
• Schafter String Quartet #5 ‘Rosalind’
• Schubert String Quartet #13 in A Minor ‘Rosamunde’

Box Office

Where: Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre, 1007 Vernon Ave.

When: Sunday, Mar. 20 at 3p.m.

Tickets: $16. Buy on the door or online. Access online discounts here. Enter promo code revmountaineer for a special online-only 5% discount.