Since its formation at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Austria, in 1993, the Hugo Wolf Quartet has been widely praised as musically thoughtful, spontaneous and provocative.
“We approach every piece differently,” said cellist Florian Berner. “We try not to nail things down too quickly. Instead, we like to do a lot of sight reading when we rehearse to allow space for something new to happen.”
In their first visit to Colorado, the fresh-faced members of the quartet — also including violinists Sebastian Gürtler and Regis Bringolf and violist Gertrud Weinmeister — promise to bring a generous dose of Viennese flair to Lakewood, Beaver Creek and Fort Collins this month.
“We’re very fond of Haydn, the father of string quartet compositions,” said Berner, describing the program to be performed in Lakewood. “He’s very often underestimated. His music can seem easy, and not substantial or serious. But it’s actually very deep music that is harmonically quite advanced . . . full of intimacy, musical surprises and rhythmic jokes.”
Specifically, the quartet — granted its name by the international Hugo Wolf Society in recognition of artistic expertise in repertoire ranging from western classical music to modern day works — will perform Franz Josef Haydn’s String Quartet in D Major, Op. 20 No. 4; Ludwig van Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2; and Alban Berg’s “Lyric Suite” in its Lakewood appearance.
“Beethoven’s string quartets are commonly thought of as the ultimate testament to his life as a composer,” continued Berner, a native of Vienna who knew by age 10 that he wanted to be a cellist. “They are amazing in their technical inventions, textures and sounds in ways that were completely new in Beethoven’s time.”
But Berner is most animated in his depiction of the “Lyric Suite,” Berg’s witness to unrequited love.
“The suite is an autobiographical story of Berg’s love affair with a married woman, while he was also married. In six movements, Berg tells us about this secret love story — how he struggled with passion, sadness and despair.
“I’ve played the piece for 10 years now, yet there is always some new dimension to discover.”
While the quartet — winners of the Fifth International String Quartet Competition in Cremona and the 45th International G.B. Viotti Chamber Music Competition, among several other honors — is reaching its full artistic stride, each of its members also seeks out individual opportunities for professional gratification.
“Not only do we engage in chamber music with others, but we also teach and perform as soloists,” explained Berner. “These separate experiences give us balance and make us better together. But for all of us, the string quartet is our center . . . it gives us the most fulfillment as musicians.”
Berner further notes the importance of audience participation in completing the artistic experience.
“Music only makes sense when you play it for other people,” he said. “Sure, I play for myself and I get some enjoyment from that. But I feel much more excitement when I play for an audience.
“It is only when performers connect with an audience that music is fully illuminated, always in different ways.”
Hugo Wolf Quartet
Classical music. The quartet will perform three times in Colorado this month:
Lakewood. Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. $18-$26. 303-987-7845 or .
Beaver Creek. Vilar Performing Arts Center, 68 Avondale Lane. Jan. 25, 6:30 p.m. $45. 888-920-2787 or .
Fort Collins.Griffin Concert Hall, University Center for the Arts, 1400 Remington Street). Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m. $5-$15. 303-623-7876 or .
