Skilled quartet kicks off recital series

When the St. Albert Chamber Music Recital Series launched last year, it brought a refinement, vigour and emotional depth to a local music scene that was previously lacking.

About to debut its sophomore year, the series launches its five-concert season with Onyx String Quartet on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Don’s Piano Warehouse.

The classical quartetto is composed of members of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra dedicated to exploring a more intimate side of the string repertoire.

“The string quartet is the ideal chamber music. I love the quality – the grouping of the cello, two violins and viola. It sounds so sublime. There is a long list of composers that love that sound, and there’s a lot of repertoire,” says series organizer Nancy Watt.

First conceived in 2008, Onyx is composed of Rhonda Henshaw (viola), Colin Ryan (cello) and violinists Aiyana Anderson-Howatt and Anna Kozak.

While rehearsing orchestral compositions with the ESO, the foursome developed a desire to play the more personal chamber music.

“We gravitated towards each other. We had the same work ethic and liked similar works,” Kozak explains.

At the upcoming concert, their first in St. Albert, they will perform a set of three linear works starting with Wolfgang Mozart’s “Haydn Quartet” #2 in D Minor.

“It’s the only Mozart light music for quartet. But his music is not trivial. It has depth.”

Their second choice is Ludwig van Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 59 #1 in F Major.

“He gets more complicated. All parts are treated equally. The lead and melody goes from one through to another. No one gets bored.”

And the final piece is Johannes Brahms’ String Quartet #3 Op. 67 in B flat Major. “With Brahms you get more into the Romantic era, more lush chords. Each part has double steps and the harmony is rich and full.”

Opening for Onyx is St. Albert violinist Hayley Pool, 10. She will play the first movement of Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto in A minor, a quick, energetic work that requires intense concentration.

“She is the youngest artist we have featured. She has been playing violin since she was three. At 10, she plays very difficult repertoire. She won a scholarship at Rotary and she loves to play. She has a big smile and that joy comes through when she’s playing,” says Watt.

For more information visit www.stalbertchambermusic.ca.