Pangea String Quartet – Serge Cuca (violin I), Dieter Hendricks (violin II), Elbe Roberts (viola), Gerrit Koorsen (cello)Join the Pangea String Quartet for a performance of two key works in the string quartet repertoire, offering a unique glimpse into the genre’s evolution. The program opens with Mozart’s String Quartet No. 14 in G major (K. 387), nicknamed “Spring.” Composed in 1782, it’s part of six quartets Mozart dedicated to Joseph Haydn. The bright G Major key and vivacious character embody the freshness of spring, showcasing Mozart’s mature mastery and the Classical era’s elegance. Upon hearing these quartets, Haydn declared Mozart “the greatest composer known to me.” In contrast, Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 2 in A minor (Op. 13), written in 1827 when he was 18, demonstrates the young composer’s precocious talent and the emerging Romantic style. Its A minor key allows for a more intense emotional range, contrasting with the sunny disposition of the Mozart quartet. These two masterpieces, separated by less than half a century, offer a captivating journey through the evolution of the string quartet. As we move from Mozart’s refined Classical elegance to Mendelssohn’s impassioned early Romantic voice, listeners will experience firsthand the remarkable transformation of musical expression during this pivotal period in music history.
