wed 04/12/2024

Emerson String Quartet, Queen Elizabeth Hall | reviews, news & interviews

Emerson String Quartet, Queen Elizabeth Hall

Emerson String Quartet, Queen Elizabeth Hall

Many a visceral thrill from the legendary New Yorkers

(Right to left) Steve Buscemi, Steve Martin, Laurel and Hardy, otherwise known as the Emerson String Quartet
Could you get a more American string quartet than the Emersons? They dress like Yanks. They play like Yanks. They're even shaped like Yanks. There's Steve Martin on viola, Steve Buscemi on cello, Laurel and Hardy on violins. The night started in true Stateside fashion, an announcer indicating the Emersons would be conducting a Q&A session from the stage after the concert. I can't imagine anyone took them up on the offer. Because, for all the trials and tribulations of their recital last night at the Queen Elizabeth Hall (some good, some bad), this wasn't a performance that needed explaining.

Could you get a more American string quartet than the Emersons? They dress like Yanks. They play like Yanks. They're even shaped like Yanks. There's Steve Martin on viola, Steve Buscemi on cello, Laurel and Hardy on violins. The night started in true Stateside fashion, an announcer indicating the Emersons would be conducting a Q&A session from the stage after the concert. I can't imagine anyone took them up on the offer. Because, for all the trials and tribulations of their recital last night at the Queen Elizabeth Hall (some good, some bad), this wasn't a performance that needed explaining.

Choppiness and instability from pros like these has its visceral thrills

Share this article

Comments

Aw, c'mon, Igor, don't be so goddamned cynical about the Q&A. We public like articulate musicians, so if they were prepared to be personable, and not just to sell another CD, good on them. We need more of this - ie conductors briefly introducing programmes, like Petrenko and Nelsons, to make the audience feel part of it - not less. Your opening image was typically superfluous, too. Why all the flim-flam when what you've actually got to say is perfectly valid.

Of course, if Stan Laurel's on violin, they're only 75% Yank. What a con!

Add comment

The future of Arts Journalism

 

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

newsletter

Get a weekly digest of our critical highlights in your inbox each Thursday!

Simply enter your email address in the box below

View previous newsletters