Friends of Chamber Music of Miami presented The Bretano String Quartet at the historic Coral Gables Congregational Church. Formed in 1992, the Brentano is one of the premier international quartets. They recently replaced the Tokyo Quartet as Artists-In-Residence at Yale University. The quartet is named for Antonie Brentano, who was possibly Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved”. The program was Mendelssohn’s Quartet No. 1, Op. 12, Britten’s String Quartet No. 3, Opus 94, and Mendelssohn’s Quintet for Strings, Op. 87, in which the Bretano were joined by violist Roberto Diaz. One of the great violists of our time, Roberto was Principal Viola of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and he is currently President of the Curtis Institute. The intensity and beauty of Mendelssohn’s Quartet No. 1 is amazing to me. I am awed by prodigy and genius. 2013 was the centennial of Britten’s birth, and his works are programmed more than ever. I am grateful to have the opportunity to hear the top chamber musicians in the world performing works that I might not hear live, in the intimate setting of a historic church. Friends of Chamber Music is the best ticket in town. I am proud to be a sponsor and board member.
