Music / Danza & Debussy, Grevillea Quartet, at Generator Gallery, Belconnen Arts Centre, September 23. Reviewed by LEN POWER

This concert was an evening of contrasts.

The first part of the program was dedicated to vibrant Spanish dances and was followed by a masterpiece of French Impressionism, the groundbreaking String Quartet in G minor by Claude Debussy.

Introduced by violinist, Shilong Ye, the concert commenced with three works from the Suite Española by Isaac Albéniz – Cádiz, Granada and Asturias. Spanish rhythms filled with drama and passion evoked the distinctive sound of strumming guitars and nighttime serenades. The quartet played the strong, sensual and emotional music with clarity, colour and great appeal.

Shilong Ye then drily suggested that if the audience felt the music made them want to dance, no judgements would be made. Many audience members were, understandably, seen to be at least swaying to the infectious dance music as the program continued.

The quartet next played Danzas Españolas, Op. 37: No. 2 ‘Oriental’ by Enrique Granados. This dance with its seductive rhythms and melodies had a haunting melancholic restraint and was beautifully played.

Three well-known works followed – Spanish Dance No. 1 from the opera, La Vida Breve, by Manuel de Falla, La Paloma by Sebastián Iradier and Danse Espanole (from Swan Lake, Op. 20) by Tchaikovsky. Hearing them played live gave them another pleasing dimension and all were given superb performances.

The final work on the program was Claude Debussy’s String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10. Shilong Ye informed the audience that this one would probably not be danceable, but he was prepared to be surprised.

Their playing of this extraordinary work, rich with shimmering textures, unexpected rhythms and unique harmonies, was masterly. The third movement, Andantino, was given a particularly sublime performance.

The concert finished with a perfect, sensual encore of Libertango by Astor Piazzolla.

The Grevillea Quartet was celebrating a milestone anniversary of eight years with this concert. Violinists, Vanessa Driver and Shilong Ye, violist Julia Horneman, and cellist Samuel Payne certainly provided a memorable and enjoyable celebration concert. It was delightful to see their surprise as unexpected presents were delivered to fellow ensemble members by Shilong Ye.

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