Carl Vine’s sixth String quartet premiered in Australia in August 2017 performed by the Takacs Quartet. This was a co-commission with Musica Viva and Carnegie Hall. The Takacs Quartet also performed the American premiere at Carnegie Hall in New York on October 12, 2017.
Geraldine Walther, violist with the Takacs Quartet, says Vine's new piece is fantastic. "It's very lyrical in some places but very playful, after its name, in others. Perhaps he was thinking of the individuals of the quartet. We've known each other a long time," she says. "He's written some wonderfully expressive music for our instruments and not every composer can do that. It's very original and very accessible to the listener. It's poignant music that we love playing. We feel very lucky to have had this piece written for us." Additional insight into the piece can be found in a Canberra Times article here.
Carl Vine discusses the work here.
Some reactions to the Australian premiere are included below.
Discussing early fragments of the composition with Carl in Seattle in Oct 2016.
Sharing a meal with members of the Takacs Quartet prior to a performance of the piece in Seattle in Jan 2018.
- "The Vine Quartet offered a substantial addition to the string quartet repertoire, [and] was a solid work with elements of Bartok and Dvorak in evidence. The first movement was particularly strong and full with its insistent rhythms, and the inner movements offered some lovely lyrical moments (especially for the viola). Lots of favorable comments from the audience…one of Musica Viva's more successful commissions, with great potential for repeat performances." - Dr Geoff Lowe, Perth
- "The Vine is an intelligent, deep and jovial string quartet with humor and wit, featuring an interesting mix of melody, dissonance, dark and light." - Chris Wainwright, Adelaide
- "An interesting and often magical sound world was created, with the relationship between composer and quartet documented and audible." - Helentherese Good, Brisbane
- "The Vine was the most engaging work; full of delicate lyrical moments, crystalline harmonies, and throbbing dance-like rhythms. Carl's technical faculty is exceptional and he knows how to write so well for the medium." - Dr Brenton Broadstock, Melbourne