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The perfect instrument

Four equals one in this premier string ensemble

By Frank Kuznik
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
March 7th, 2007 issue

COURTESY PHOTO
Striving for a single voice, from left: Dvořák, Hájková, Poslední and Eret.
Periodically the best orchestra in town rolls out its side projects, and next week the best of those side projects takes center stage. The Czech Philharmonic Quartet will be playing a wide-ranging program that reflects its approach to the classical canon, which first violinist Pavel Eret modestly describes as “just playing music.”
“We emphasize variety, from classical to 20th-century,” he says. “The main thing is to put on an attractive program for the audience.”
That’s a lot more difficult than it sounds, particularly in a city brimming with fine string ensembles. Even for musicians used to playing in a first-class orchestra, the dynamics of a small group pose unique challenges. Each member must play with the expression and caliber of a soloist, yet with the goal of achieving a single unified sound.
“Some people say the string quartet is a perfect instrument, and I agree,” says Eret. “But for a group to sound like one instrument takes a lot of adjustment. If the relationship between the players works, it can be like therapy. If not, it’s hell.”
Anyone who’s heard the Czech Philharmonic Quartet perform can attest to the unity and quality of its sound. The core of the group — second violinist Zuzana Hájková, viola player Jiří Poslední and cellist Jakub Dvořák — have been playing together since the ensemble was founded in 2000. In 2005, when the original first violinist, Sylvie Hessová, moved on to pursue a solo career, Poslední asked Eret, an old conservatory classmate, to join the group. He was fresh off a three-year stint as concertmaster of the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra in Japan and had to think about the offer.
“I was aware that being in a string quartet is a big responsibility that takes a lot of time, just like being a soloist,” Eret says. “It was a new challenge for me.”
The personal dimension that Poslední and Eret’s friendship has brought to the group has served it well. Even in conversation, the two are like a tag team.
“The schedule posted on the Internet is wrong; we’ll be playing Mozart in the next program,” Eret says.
“The more Mozart, the more happiness,” Poslední says.
Czech Philharmonic Quartet

When: Tuesday, March 13 at 7:30
Where: Suk Hall, Rudolfinum
Tickets: 170–190 Kč, available at the venue

“Not just for the audience — for us, too,” Eret says with a grin.
A Mozart string quartet is one of four selections on the program. There’s also a selection of short pieces by Schulhoff and Webern, and a string quartet by Dvořák. The group’s last outing included a demanding string quartet by Shostakovich, which they played with a spirit and precision that drew an enthusiastic response from the audience.
“We were really glad,” says Eret, who believes that any successful concert depends on three elements. “You have to have a good program, a good performance and outstanding interpretation — we hope!”
Not much to worry about there; this is a skilled group of professionals who have moved to the fore of the Czech Philharmonic’s busy agenda, quite simply because they’re good. Their upcoming performance in the Rudolfinum’s Suk Hall gives chamber music fans an opportunity to hear the best of the best in an intimate setting. And, if you can’t make it this month, the ensemble plays April 28 at an even sweeter venue, the Bertramka villa, in its “Beethoven meets Mozart” series.

Frank Kuznik can be reached at fkuznik@praguepost.com


Other articles in Night & Day (7/03/2007):

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