Rave Reviews

The Jasper String Quartet is Caramoor's 11th Ernst Stiefel String Quartet-in-Residence. Somers High School participated in this year's Student Strings program. Below are some essays written by the students who experienced working with the quartet and their reaction to the concert. 

Review #1 - The concert amazed me! I was surprised by my reaction to the music. I enjoyed it more than I expected. I enjoyed the wonderful music, the skills of these musicians and the stories behind the music.

I love the second piece! I can get the idea that it was written by a composer who was sand and depressed. It was dark and deep with a lot of crescendo in it. It’s a lot different from Beethoven’s music. There’s a lot of pp and subito forte in it. The cello gave a strong support while the violinist played the main melody. It became happier and brighter toward the end.

As an audience, I prefer the third piece of music. It’s from “The Life”. It has three movements. This piece is not as dramatic as the second piece. It’s easier to hear the melody of the music. It has a more narrow range than the last one. Most of the notes concentrate in the low-pitch area. In addition to the lower pitch, there’s more weight put on the cello. It makes this piece of music more powerful and energetic than the last one. The middle part of the second movement gives me a sense of comfort with humor and happiness.

I have been to a lot of concerts before. But these four musicians make me believe that music is not only an organized sound, but also a way to express emotion, share one’s ideas and tell a story.

Review #2 - I was very surprised at the concert. Usually when I thought of violins and cellos, I thought that it would be boring to listen to. But, it wasn’t as boring at all and I actually really liked it. The music was a lot brighter and more intense then I thought it would be. I also thought that the way the musicians performed very enthusiastically really brighten up the whole performance. I thought it was really cool how the musicians were able to use their instruments to sound like ice, a train, or like the accordion. I never knew how exciting the violin, cello, and viola really are. I thought I wouldn’t like it because it would be too classical for me, but I actually really enjoyed it.

Review #3 - When I walked into the auditorium, I expected an okay or so, so performance. When they began to play, I was blown away by their talent. This was the first time that I’ve seen a string performance up close. The energy and passion for playing was greatly shown when they were into the song. I enjoyed it way more than I expected to. It was an amazing and remarkable performance that I will remember for a long time. To me, the four musicians looked like they had a special and unique connection when they not only played with each other but when they were speaking to the audience. I would love to watch them play again. Music to them isn’t just their job, it’s what they are passionate for and their career. Mrs. Harris, I am glad that you gave me the opportunity to watch the Jasper String Quartet perform.

Review #4 - This concert was not what I expected it to be because it was more interesting than I thought. I was surprised by the music because they played their song on the bridge of the instruments. I enjoyed it more because when I think of a concert I think of being bored, but they played some exciting things than I expected. I enjoyed the song where they played on the bridge because that gave me the feeling that I was experiencing what was actually happening.

Review #5 - The concert was much more interesting than I had originally thought it would be. It was very intense, I always pictured a string quartet as very dull and lifeless, however now, I see it as very emotional. I enjoyed the story aspect of it. I hate when I hear music and I just can’t grasp what it’s talking about. This quartet was like a journey. The man telling the story prior to the piece was also helpful. I would have to say that my favorite thing while listening to a piece like this is layering such as when the cellist plays a long, low note and the violins/violas are playing high, piercing ones, almost like notes that are dancing around. This was shown early in this piece.

Review #6 - The music was somewhat what I expected. I expected classical music but I didn’t know how much I’d like it. My reaction to the music did surprise me, due to the meanings of the songs but it made me happy. It was someway in which they played this supposed to be sad music in a happy way. I loved how they moved with such passion while playing. Also, how they were like a sports team; they worked together.

Rising Stars ~ Day 5

This is last day of rehearsals for the group before their performances this weekend. Tickets are still available for Saturday and Sunday's concerts.

Three words to describe your experience at Caramoor:

Emily Deans: Caramoor = Crazy Cacophony of Contentment

Narek Hakhnazaryan: Amazing, Amazing, Amazing

Tessa Lark: Refreshing, (a) Blast, Inspiring

Laura Lutzke: Inspiring, fun, passionate

David McCarroll: Beautiful, Inspiring, Rewarding

Dimitri Murrath: Friends, Passion, "Stuff"

Arnaud Sussmann: Enchanted, Judy Evnin, Amazing

Yu-Wen Wang: Fun, inspiring, intense

Pam Frank: Inspiring, Intense, HOME

Rising Stars at Caramoor

It is Rising Stars week here at Caramoor. The week eight young musicians with the talent, personality, and musicality are invited to join distinguished artists for a week of intense rehearsals and coaching sessions, culminating in two exciting public performances. The Rising Stars program is led by Artistic Director Pamela Frank, and assisted by Distinguished Artists: Timothy Eddy and Arnold Steinhardt, who mentor and coach the young musicians and perform with them in the ensembles.

Every day this week a new question will be answered by these young artists and posted on our Caramoor BLOG. Check it out and learn something new about our Rising Stars.

PS - tickets are still available for the Saturday 11/7 and Sunday 11/8 performances and are reasonably priced at $25.00

Q&A with Rachel Henderson

Favorite classical composer:
At the moment, Schumann, Haydn and Beethoven

Musical idol:
My present and past teachers, Clive Greensmith (cellist of the Tokyo String Quartet) and Norman Fischer.

How much do you practice per day?
I try to practice at least an hour or more by myself. As a quartet we practice for 4-5 hours a day 6 days a week.

Any advice for young musicians?
Stick with it! Everyone has ups and downs when they are more or less inspired to play but it's important to make practicing part of your daily routine.

Do you get nervous before a concert?
Sometimes. It depends on how much I have been performing. I usually feel very comfortable playing in a quartet because I love performing with others. I do get much more nervous playing by myself or if I haven't performed for a long time.

Q&A with Sam Quintal, viola

Favorite classical composer:
Aside from Beethove, I'd go with Bartók or Ligeti

Musical idol now:
James Dunham, former violist of the Cleveland Quartet, Kazu Isomura, my current teacher and violist of the Tokyo quartet, and Roger Tapping, former violist of the Takacs Quartet.

How much do you practice per day?
1-2 hours individually, and 4-5 hours with the quartet (six days a week)

What motivates you to practice?
The music. I feel privileged to be able to work on and perform some of the greatest music ever written. It inspires me to meet its challenges and perform it at the highest level that I can.

Any advice for young musicians?
Listen to a lot of music. Throughout my life I have been inspired most by incredible performances and recordings

Q&A with Sai Niwa, violin

Favorite popular music group:
John Groban

Musical Idol:
Tokyo String Quartet

How much do you practice per day?
Varies, but the average is 3-5 hours

What motivates you to practice?
love music(passion), the goal and expectation on myself that I have

Any advice for young musicians?
Have a big dream and not give up! Focus what YOU want to. (not comparing to others)

Q&A with J Freivogel, violin

Favorite classical composer:
It's hard for me to name only one... Beethoven, Bartok, Ligeti, Haydn. Honestly, every composer has great pieces and every composer has some not so great pieces. Thankfully, most string quartets fall under the former category.

Musical idol:
Cleveland, Takacs, and Tokyo Quartets (listed alphabetically, not preferentially). James Dunham, Marilyn McDonald, Nathan Milstein, Sylvia Rosenberg.

How much do you practice per day?
As an ensemble we rehearse 3-5 hours a day, 6 days a week. On top of that I try to do 1 to 1 1/2 hours. That tends to fluctuate depending on our performing schedule.

What motivates you to practice?
Playing the violin is a limitless exploration. Sure, we play a concert and then are done with that, but there is always another concert and there is always something to improve. In addition, great pieces have depth that one can continuously explore. Nothing can replace focused practice.

Any advice for young musicians?
My advice would be something my mom always told me, "Have fun, sing in your head, and smile when you bow." That is really what matters.