A sampling of the Calder Quartet

The Calder Quartet came to Jordan Hall on Friday night as part of the Boston Celebrity Series. These thirty-somethings are grounded in the classical repertoire, but they also champion new music. They divided the concert between past masters and living composers; here is a distillation of their program.

Sabina for string quartet by Andrew Norman – A fluttering shimmer of sunlit sonority. New music can be daunting, but this piece is mesmerizing. Click here for the Calders' recording of the work on SoundCloud. Andrew Bulbrook, the second violinist and a Massachusetts native, addressed the audience several times through the evening and let us know that Sabina will be included in an upcoming overview of new music. Based on this winning performance I am eager to give the other works a listen.

String Quartet in F major by Maurice Ravel – The players were fully engaged in the delights of the score, and the audience loved it. Honestly, if the performers aren't enjoying themselves in this work, they shouldn't be performing anymore. Click here for the first movement.

Arcadiana for string quartet, Opus 12 by Thomas Adès – Elusive. Like a stack of sheet music taken by a gust of wind. Just when you think you have caught a tune it twists and turns into something else. Click here for the sixth (and most accessible) movement, "O Albion". Bulbrook told us that Andrew Norman was concerned about having his new piece played on the same program, because he considers Arcadiana the best thing written in the last fifty years. The Calders have an ongoing relationship with Adès and will soon release an album entirely of his works. The composer will join in to play his piano quintet.

String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Opus 95 by Ludwig van Beethoven – The best compliment I can pay the musicians is that this work sounded like a fresh piece of music. Equal praise must go to the man who wrote it 200 years ago. Perhaps the Calders pushed the third movement a bit too much, verging on recklessness, but their energy and engagement couldn't be faulted. Click here for the snappy first movement.

One final note: The quartet took its name in tribute to American sculptor Alexander Calder. Here is a picture of his work Eagle, now standing in Seattle.