May 2016 – Gudački kvartet Beogradske filharmonije

Srdjan Teparić about the Quartet …

May 30, 2016

Belgrade Philharmonic String Quartet

One of the best innovations of the Belgrade Philharmonic in the recent years was forming the String Quartet. Jelena Dragnić, first violin, Vladan Lončar, second violin, Boris Brezovac, viola and Aleksandar Latković, cello, are members of the ensemble whose full name is the Belgrade Philharmonic String Quartet. The Quartet gave their latest concert to celebrate their fifth anniversary. They have given so far a series of very good concerts; they realized several tours within the region and the United Arab Emirates, China and France. They also released a compact disc. The concert programme included three string quartets – Mozart’s, Mendelssohn’s and Ravel’s, which is a big step for a performer. Mozart’s String Quartet in D minor K 421, is a drama directed achievement, where there is a significant autonomy of sections.
Such concept requires sustaining the suspense during the interpretation, a singular performance where intensity was a tool, which the members of this quartet used to draw the listener into the conflicting story. In Mendelssohn’s String Quartet Op.44 No.2 in E-minor, there is also a lot of drama, highlighting the virtuosity performed on an enviable level. And finally Ravel’s String Quartet in F major produces a whole series of different interpretative challenges, also brought out by the specific atmosphere of the work, consisting of unusual melodies drawn through the finest transitions between the sections and coloured in different shades.

Belgrade Philharmonic String Quartet

The Belgrade Philharmonic String Quartet’s interpretation was on a high level. Taking into account the most complex of these works, Ravel’s String Quartet, it was noticeable that in their performance every detail interpreted was well thought-out and realized. The prankish pizzicato Scherzo dance had an effect of a restless Arabesque dance, with a logical sequence of melodies and facts. The meditative, slow movement, was most effective with its well-structured melody lines, which could be followed as if it were some verbal discourse. The total sound of this ensemble is also on an enviable level.
In all three pieces played, it was visible that the sound could rise to orchestral dimensions, while on the other hand, the fine chamber tuning of some movements had a charming beauty of the sound. What should be particularly highlighted, is the professionalism of the quartet members, which is rarely found with our domestic ensembles. Their approach to performing the above pieces reflects a good conception and well-planned realization.
In all this, there is no place for any improvisation on the stage, all sections sounded completely prepared; the sound was compact to the maximum extent. After everything aforesaid, we may conclude that there is a serious ensemble on our domestic stage, a rare one of the kind engaged in performing chamber music. Every performance of theirs allows the audience not to bother about the technical details in their interpretation, for they are in maximum order. At their concerts, the listeners may freely plunge into the strange world of music performed.

Radio Belgrade 2, Cultural circles – Ars Sonora, 30th May 2016

“Excellent five”

May 16, 2016

Belgrade Philharmonic String Quartet

Belgrade Philharmonic String Quartet will give a concert on Tuesday, 24th May, beginning at 7 p.m. under the title “Excellent five!” on the occasion of celebrating five years of performing together. In the pleasant ambience of the Belgrade Philharmonic Concert Hall, where their chamber mission actually began, they will perform Mozart, Mendelssohn and Ravel quartets.
The Belgrade Philharmonic musicians, Jelena Dragnić, Vladan Lončar, Boris Brezovac and Aleksandar Latković founded their String Quartet within this Orchestra in 2011. In addition to gaining recognition during these five years of work in their own country, they also gave successful and well-reviewed international performances, among which was their performance in Izmir, Turkey, their performances on stages of the United Arab Emirates, their visit to China, where they played at Tianjin Concert Hall, and also their performance at the Serbian Cultural Centre in Paris.
Tireless in exploring the literature written for the string quartet, the musicians have fostered this genre with genuine dedication:

“When beginning our work in the Quartet, our initial motive was pure and simple, which can also be said about art and music. It is still so, and I believe that this will not change. That is why time is not the factor by which we measure anything, although we like to say that after five years we are at the end of our beginning”,

Says Jelena Dragnić, the Quartet’s first violin, and adds:

“The period behind us was marked by wonderful trips, tours and successful concerts, however, for a musician nothing can be compared with what we feel when playing at home!”

For their audience, the musicians prepared Mozart String Quartet K. 421 in D minor, Mendelssohn String Quartet Op. 44 No. 2 in E minor, as well as Ravel String Quartet in F major. Other than celebrating five years of their work, this concert also announces Belgrade Philharmonic String Quartet’s upcoming performance at Herbert Hall Salzburg, on 30th May. Tickets for the concert are available at the Belgrade Philharmonic box office and online.