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Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet in A Major was written in 1789 towards the end of his short life, and is the product of the amazing late flowering of the composer during which he wrote many of his best-loved works, before his untimely death in 1791.
Despite the deep depression, from which he was suffering during this turbulent time in his life, the work has a warmth and serenity, being the product of the composer’s friendship and warm collaborative relationship with clarinettist Anton Stadler.
Mozart himself played the cello part at the work’s premier, and at last Thursday night’s performance of the work at St Christopher’s Cathedral the cellist Lis Holman joined the regular members of the Manama String Quartet in their sensitive and stirring performance of this lyrical work.
The ensemble, led with characteristic passion and precision by David Hlawiczka had the benefit of the guest performer Larry Barcelos playing the clarinet. His brilliant interpretation of the piece blended seamlessly with the accomplished playing of the well-established members of the quartet, Sachi Kitabatke, 2nd violin, and Bryan Chen on viola.
The Manama String Quarter have been regular performers throughout the current series of Cathedral Concerts at Six which have entertained mixed and highly appreciative audiences over the past few months, so it is fitting that they should bring the curtain down on the season.
The crisp acoustic of the cathedral is perfect for small ensembles and vocalists alike, and, after the interval, the players were joined by Erika Nottingham Rawles for a performance of Mozart’s Laudate Dominum, in an arrangement of Psalm 117 for soprano and string quartet. As a soloist with the Manama Singers, Erika is well known to concert-goers in Bahrain, her light soprano voice soared effortlessly above the sensitive playing of the strings and her clear enunciation of Latin text was suitably glorious.
The concert ended with a popular piece from Borodin, the nocturne from his second string quartet, known to many as This is My Beloved from Vincente Minnelli’s popular film version of the 1950’s musical Kismet. The performance was notable for the melodic lead taken by the cello in the middle section of the movement, which was beautifully interpreted by Lis Holman.
The Dean of the cathedral, Chris Butt, thanked the audience for their warm applause and for their support and appreciation throughout the concert season. He expressed his hope that Cathedral Concerts at Six would become a regular feature of the music scene in Manama and looked forward to once more welcoming the music-lovers of Manama to St Christopher’s Cathedral in the autumn.
Michael Lightfoot
