Mendelssohn/Visconti/Golijov

Album review

The string quartet and chamber music, in general, are thought of as abstract genres, but here the Jasper String Quartet and Jupiter String Quartet emphasize the kind of music-making that can come from close connections, familial and otherwise. One of the pieces, Dan Visconti's Eternal Breath, was composed for the 40th wedding anniversary celebration of four of the eight players here; it is a hushed, somewhat mystical piece, given a unique atmosphere by the inclusion of an Indian shruti box, a harmonium-like instrument. The quartets achieve wind-like sonorities in Osvaldo Golijov's two-movement Last Round, a tribute to tango master Astor Piazzolla that evokes that performer's bandoneon. Both of these are appealing contemporary pieces, but the standout here is the Octet in E flat major, Op. 20, of Felix Mendelssohn. This unusually lush work can become unwieldy in the hands of the pickup groups that usually play it, and performances of it by groups that know each other's ins and outs are rare. The Jasper and Jupiter Quartets deliver one of the best versions available, with a crackling finale and plenty of energy throughout. The collegiate auditorium sound is a bit remote and doesn't quite capture the intimate atmosphere the performers are aiming for, but this is an offbeat and consistently satisfying chamber music release.
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