Harlow Quartet, Beethoven's Grosse Fuge part 1

Harlow Quartet: Hillary Ditmars (17) - violin, Jenny Charness (17) - violin, Paris Ellsworth (15) - viola, Jonah Ellsworth (13) - cello

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Harlow
• Quartet
• Hillary
• Ditmars
• Jenny
• Charness
• Paris
• Jonah
• Ellsworth
• Beethoven
• Opus
• 133
• Grosse
• Fuge
• Classical
• Greenwood

[keelan111]

Dude, whether or not these teenagers pull it off or not is, in the end, scarcely the point. Here are four kids who are, due to their parents' deep wallets and their own precocity, playing late beethoven fugues instead of bopping to Hanna Montana drivel. That's why they were put on a stage: to lay the groundwork for a life of music appreciation, not to raise the bar on quality quartet playing. Now, if you want to complain that the idea of giving children such advanced music is screwy - I agree.

[spartancellist]

Dayum! thaat violist is Hotttttt!!

[bachthoven1685]

@Huddiethegreat Good God yes! They put so much power into it! The first violinist jumps out of his seat countless times, haha.

[mikatagahara1212]

This is awesome!

[puneio]

While i certainly agree that there is a commendable level of commitment these young players display, it might be overtly extreme to say that the elements of selflessness, dedication and courage are required of them as it is undermining to the human capacity to perform greatness in life. While I do admire the conviction they put in, I personally believe it is the underlying love for what they do brings this piece of music to reality. The other elements are just the manifestation of this passion.

[OrchestrationOnline]

I am so impressed by the level of commitment that these young players show. People who have never given their all to something as monumental as this work can never understand the extreme selflessness, dedication, and courage that it requires to sit up there on stage. Quibbling over mistakes is pointless - in their intent and sacrifice, these musicians are impeccable.

[Huddiethegreat]

It's good. Alban Berg quartet does it best though.

[Zeraziel]

Excellent effort. I'm sure you guys approached this as a challenge and weren't expecting to really pull it off. I always think people should try to stick to something in their skill level range but it's good to take something beyond you every once in a while. Again, good effort but pick it up in at least 5 years because based on the standards of the piece, it was pretty bad. That you guys were able to even attempt it is still pretty impressive but this piece is meant for experienced players.

[redhotchiliangel]

Great performance.

[grThetrojan01gr]

are you kidding me? They don't make fugue be heard with more strength than the other melodies.

[edwardk1011]

oh come on. the first fugue varied. sometimes it fell apart but overall was gud. i was particularly impressed wit the stretto!

[T3RM1N83R]

OK, maybe it was a rather harsh thing to say...