Feature Article August 29, 2001
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Quartessenceby Julia KentKingstons world class quartet, Quartessence, revisited St. James Major on Wednesday, August 22. The quartet consists of: two violins, Gisele Dalbec-Szczesniak and Kathi Toth-Switzer; a viola, Eileen Beaudette; and cellist, Maura Rudden. The group has been together since 1982 when they played at a wedding together. The four women have been friends from a young age and grew up playing music together, so their communication and timing were excellent. The quartet mainly plays at weddings and parties, but they have more recently started playing at informal concerts such as our summer concert series. Gisele, Kathi, Eileen, and Maura are all members of the Kingston Symphony. They are planning their furthest trip as a group this fall, when they will play in Nunavut.The evenings repertoire was a great success because there was something for everyone. The songs ranged in style from Vivaldis Four Seasons to Gershwin. There were many lively minuets, slow Irish airs, ragtime, and movie themes. The performance also consisted of fiddle tunes that had the audience tapping to the beat. The crowd was asked to join in and sing for the familiar tunes. Before each selection they related interesting facts about the composers, or the reason they had chosen the piece. Although each of the songs was played by all the members, we had a chance to hear each instrument solo throughout the evening. Many of the pieces were arranged by the groups own violist, Eileen. One of the beautiful Irish airs was written by Kathi for a family wedding. The song was written in Gaelic and means happiness, something that you could hear throughout the piece.We really enjoy playing in Sharbot Lake because the audience is so appreciative and supportive, commented Eileen. The group was pleased with the opportunity to come to the concert series because of the chance to perform together in such a great setting. The entertaining evening ended with a standing ovation from the crowd, and the final piece, Ashokan Farewell, was a moving way to end an outstanding performance by Quartessence and the summer concert series.
