34 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY April 27-May 3, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com MUSIC It didn’t take the Daedalus Quartet long to garner the attention of audiences and critics alike—the group, established in 2000, won the prestigious Banff International String Quartet Competition in 2001. Current violist, Jessica Thompson, joined in 2002. “The turning point was early on in high school,” Thompson says. “At the summer festivals we would play string quartets all day. I was attracted by the variety of textures with four strings together, and because the string quartet repertoire is so rich.” Now known the world over as purveyors of 20th- and 21st-century music, Thompson is quick to qualify: “New music has always been part of what we do. Our job is to play the entire canon.” That includes variety even among the modern works, and Thompson dispels the stereotype that all 20th- and 21st-century works are atonal. “Just because a piece was written post-1900 doesn’t mean it is always going to be atonal and edgy,” she says. All three pieces the quartet will perform in Carmel were composed in the 20th century. The program opens with William Grant Still’s Lyric Quartette (1960). Often called the dean of AfroAmerican composers, Still was prolific, penning nearly 200 works, including five symphonies, four ballets and nine operas. His quartet is a lyrical portrait of three friends in three movements—the sentimental one, the quiet one and the jovial one, each movement reflecting those emotions. The melodies are more representative of a Baroque or even Romantic era composition. The concert closes with another work that is distinct from most 20th-century compositions, Amy Beach’s Piano Quintet (1907). With guest soloist Soyeon Kate Lee at the piano, this piece alternates between dark and brooding and light and animated. “There is some turbulence to it,” Thompson says, “but everything gently resolves in the final movement.” Between them is the emotional centerpiece of this program—Bela Bartok’s String Quartet No. 6, written at a low point in the composer’s life. “There is a heaviness that hovers over this piece,” Thompson says. “It comes right after Bartok’s mother’s death, and at a time when his own health was beginning to fail. Our job becomes to fully embody the sadness and to inhabit the composer’s increasingly mournful emotions.” Daedalus String Quartet 7:30pm Saturday, April 29. Sunset Center, San Carlos Street and 9th Avenue, Carmel. $25-$63. 625-2212, chambermusicmontereybay.org. LISA MARIE MAZZUCCO Lyrical Lives On stage in Carmel, the Daedalus Quartet gives 20th- and 21st-century compositions their due. By Paul Fried The Daedalus Quartet is known for performing modern music, but not all of it is atonal or edgy; they also choose modern pieces that sound more Romantic in style. FRESH. LOCAL. TASTY. Fisherman’s Wharf FRESHEST SEAFOOD with PANORAMIC VIEWS Open Daily at 11:30am • At the end of Fisherman’s Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 LIVE MUSIC Wednesdays 5–7:30pm Sun - Thurs 12PM– 8PM Fri & Sat 11AM – 9PM 720 BROADWAY AVE. SEASIDE Call 831-899-1762 to order DINE IN / TAKEOUT / DELIVERY Using fresh, quality ingredients The Oven continues a tradition of New York style pizza, alongside signature San Francisco sourdough pizza. Come enjoy a slice today. Great Dough Great Pizza is Thin crust & Sourdough pizzas Salads & Calzones • Pasta • Subs Draft beer on tap • Wine • Dessert 10% OFF your order with this ad Valid until 4/30/2023 All Week Coffee Special sweet & savory crepes • paninis • bagels • tea • 11th Hour coffee THE CRÉPERIE CAFÉ THE CRÉPERIE CAFÉ THE CRÉPERIE CAFÉ THE CRÉPERIE CAFÉ THE CRÉPERIE CAFÉ @ @ @ @ @ 1123 Fremont Blvd, Seaside 831-901-3900 Mon–Fri 7am–4pm (Sat & Sun 8am–4pm) Prepay 7 Cups (12 oz.) for $21 +tax Any coffee • Cappucino • Mocha • Latte and more!
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