I attended the second concert of the season at Skärborgarnas Hus this afternoon. And, for a change, it wasn’t just me (I’m ignoring the rest of the audience who I really don’t know). This time I was joined by KSP and Neighbour Beth. They chose well. The concert was exceptionally good.
We were entertained by a string quartet of four young men with some amazing musical skills. They are called Monbijou and are Marcus Bäckerud, Alexander Chojecki, Oscar Edin and Kristian Chojecki. (Yes, KSP, two of them are brothers.)
I don’t know how old they were, but I don’t think any of them are over 30. Possibly the best thing was how in sync they were. It was like they were joined at the brain. And their enjoyment of the pieces. That was definitely a highlight. One violinist was so into it, he was almost dancing off his chair.
There were three pieces and a most enjoyable encore.
They started with Stenhammar’s string quartet no 5 in C major, opus 29. I’d never heard of Stenhammar (1871-1927) or his music and I thoroughly loved it. KSP was very excited because it included a lot of folk tunes intermingled throughout.
What I found interesting was how, at times, I felt he was straying into Variations on a theme of Paganini by Johannes Brahms, then, having looked him up, I discover that he very much loved the piece. He was a bit of a piano playing genius so that makes sense. Actually, he was said to have been the greatest Swedish pianist of his time.
Anyway, the piece we heard today was superb, played brilliantly.
The second piece was very new. In fact, it premiered last month. It’s called Sapphire 2050 Celsius by composer Tebogo Monnakgotla (1972-). She is currently the composer in residence at the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra. If her bio is anything to go by, she is an amazing musical talent.
I was not enthused with the piece. I didn’t dislike it, but it didn’t really resonate with me. I assume this is because I don’t understand musical nuance as much as I perhaps should, given how much I listen to it.
The title refers to the melting point of sapphire. After diamonds, sapphires are the second-hardest thing on the planet. I’m not sure why Monnakgotla decided to write a piece about it. According to KSP’s rapid translation of the introduction, it’s something to do with the refraction of light as they get hotter and, finally, dissolve.
After the break, we were entertained by a piece I do know. It was Franz Schubert’s magnificent Death and the Maiden Quartet (String Quartet No. 14 in D minor). Interestingly, ‘maiden’ was translated to ‘flicka’ (girl) in Swedish. The original motif of a lovely (virgin) maiden being stolen by the devil loses some impact if she is described as merely a girl, I think. It should possibly be Döden och jungfrun.
Not that that matters; I just found it interesting.
The performance of the piece was fantastic, vigorous and beautiful. I loved it. I think everyone in the audience did too. It’s very powerful and shows Schubert at his best. Well, I think so anyway.
There was then a short and delightful encore, which they didn’t name.
It was a wonderful concert, and I am so glad I went. I think KSP may feel the same, given one of the violinists presented her with a rose at the end.
Afterwards, I walked home, through the woods, with neighbour Beth, both of us on air after the beautiful musical feast we had just devoured. I so love Trosa.
