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"The Quartet..demonstrated their technical perfection immediately...
Above all, their musical insight and the precision of their
collaboration made playing of the Ciompi Quartet a truly genuine
listening delight." * * *
"The Ciompi played Schoenfield's creation as if mesmerized by its
expressive urgency. They inhabited the diverse worlds, vividly conveying
the subtle details and grand gestures." * * *
"Here the chamber music skills of these musicians became absolutely
clear. Together they felt and shaped the ever-changing moods and
characters of the work, passing the ball among themselves and inspiring
one another with their lively music making." * * *
"Rarely does a concert completely live up to expectations. As it turned
out, the string quartet in question... the Ciompi Quartet... was
phenomenal. They play with a unanimity of phrasing and attack that is
remarkable. Every nuance, every shift in dynamics, had the four playing
as one, and the intensity in the finale was thrilling. They are amazing." * * *
"The Ciompi Quartet performed at the Shanghai Conservatory's Heluding
concert hall last night. Their music, full of passion, yet with pure and
beautiful tone color, intoxicated the listener." * * *
"The Ciompi Quartet is from America, but is of international stature.
Their understanding of music is entirely European. The four members of
the Ciompi were able to render with impeccable precision even the most
complex points of the text: beauty in the midst of the storm which in
its many manifestations reaches the serenity of art. Technical
precision, cleanliness of sound, mastery of the bow." * * *
"The Ciompi Quartet never fails to astound, and this program was one of
their most inventive yet heard." * * *
"The Ciompi Quartet's polished and elegant Mozart took full advantage of
this work's rich involvement of all four instruments in exchanges of
graceful curving phrases. The Minuet movement conveyed a microcosm of
emotion, from mysterious, hushed drama to fiery energy, with the
repetitions of the form executed with significance and logic. First
violinist Eric Pritchard offered brilliance without ever crossing to the
merely showy." * * *
"The Ciompi Quartet's concert Saturday night offered all their
well-established attributes: mastery of a range of styles, promotion of
new works, and collaboration with other artists." * * *
"What was so touching was that the music came across with no
exaggeration, no applied virtuosity, but a real sense of its importance
to each of the four players. The musicians were sensitive and alert. The
tempos were vital but natural and unforced. The Ciompi Quartet can play
Haydn for me any time." * * *
"Violinists Eric Pritchard and Hsiao-mei Ku, violist Jonathan Bagg and
cellist Fred Raimi work together with organic ease, interacting as if
immersed in casual or heated conversation. They produce warm, clear
sonorities that change color or emotional atmosphere as the composer
requests...To each piece, the Ciompi applied a spectrum of expressive
nuances, judicious pacing and a firm sense of structure...Once the
players entered the score's sonic world, no distractions could interrupt
the probing artistry. Here was music-making of remarkable poise and
control." * * *
"The sound of the strings was one of poised, easy musicianship within a
loosened (but never loose) blend that allowed some individuation from
each player...The performance was classically proportioned but warm;
tempos were moderate and unhurried; and the compositional mechanics were
transparently laid out. That is all this piece needs." * * *
"The whole evening was a work of art, of technical brilliance, of
careful, sensitive ensemble playing." * * * "The result was impressive: perfection, such as we are accustomed to hearing only on mastered recordings, combined with musical spontaneity within the constraints of ensemble playing"
DER RHEINPHALZ * * *
"Finally, the exceptional quality of the Ciompi Quartet must be
emphasized, the beauty of their sound, and the way they invest
themselves completely in the music they play." * * *
"From beginning to end the playing sounded intelligent and sure,
softened at the edges by a full and mellow tone" * * *
"The second movement was played with such delicacy that the music seemed
more an instantaneous creation of the ensemble's collective mind than a
mere interpretation of Mozart's work" * * *
"...a set of superbly articulated and passionate readings..." * * *
"...the group plays everything as if its life depends on it..." * * *
"The Kreutzer Sonata (by Leos Janacek) received an intense performance
of quite astonishing power and brilliance that likely ranks among the
Ciompi's finest achievements to date." * * *
"As if by magic, the Ciompi Quartet succeeded in creating a sense of
dramatic tension... a powerful performance." |