Fry Street Quartet performs Beethoven cycle
Local residents are in for a treat, as the Fry Street Quartet will be performing a very ambitious selection of music over the next two weeks. Often called the Beethoven String Quartet Cycle, they will be performing a complete repertoire of Beethoven’s works for string quartet.
The Fry Street Quartet is the USU faculty quartet in residence. They do performances all across the nation and in many ways serve as ambassadors for USU and the music department. They were even reported by The Salt Lake Tribune to be Utah’s only full-time professional string quartet.
The event includes a presentation by special guest, musicologist Robert Winter.
“Robert is world-renowned Beethoven scholar. He’s amazing,” said quartet member Rebecca McFaul.
She also said that Robert has a “Leonard Berstein-like approach. His presence will make it an event.”
The performances which will be held Oct. 2 through the 4 and 9 through the 11 will each feature completely different music selections. The repertoire consists of an astounding several hours-worth of music, a task that could be equated with running a musical marathon.
When asked about preparation for the concert, McFaul said, “What haven’t we been doing?”
“This has been in the planning for about years. I think the biggest concern right now is pacing ourselves so we’re not exhausted,” she said.
The quartet is comprised of William Fedkenheuer, 1st Violin, Rebecca McFaul, Violin, Russell Fallstad, Viola and Anne Francis, Cello. Fedkenheuer is a more recent addition to the quartet, reported on the group’s website to have “dazzling virtuosity and magnetic character.”
Department Head Craig Jessop said the quartet is a hidden gem at Utah State.
“I think (the quartet) is one of the best-kept musical secrets in our state,” Jessop said.
Tickets are selling quickly for the performances, some already sold out, as Cache Valley residents anticipate the upcoming performances.
The Fry Street Quartet was originally from Chicago, named after Fry Street, which was the location of the quartet’s first rehearsal space in a neighborhood once ruled by Al Capone. The group had a three-year residency in Hickory, N. C., and finally took the offer to come to Utah State in 2002.
The group also works well together. McFaul said working with her fellow musicians is entertaining personally as well as musically.
“It’s a blast, you never know what they’re going to do – in a good way. It’s fantastic,” she said. The group ends up playing first-rate music at a very sophisticated level, she said.
The group is very active, not only in performing, but also in teaching talented music students as well as participation in youth outreach programs.
The concert itself is made possible by a grant. In addition, the Fry Street Quartet’s very residency is made possible by a grant from the Marie Eccles Caine Foundation.
Discussions led by Beethoven scholar Robert Winter begin at 6:30 p.m. Discounted student tickets are available at $10 with student ID. For tickets go online at box office.usu.edu or call 797-8022.
–r.perkins@aggiemail.usu.edu