By JENNIFER L. BURLENSKI

The Juilliard Ovation Society celebrated the beginning of its sixth season on Tuesday, October 28, with an evening featuring the Juilliard String Quartet. More than 125 Ovation Society members and special guests were treated to an extraordinary performance by the quartet, followed by a lively discussion about chamber music at Juilliard.

Juilliard Council member Thomas Krayenbuehl, Gordon Henderson, Joel Krosnick, Jeannette Barry, and Juilliard Council co-chair Ute Krayenbuehl. (Photo by Tanya Tribble)

Guests gathered in Paul Recital Hall to hear a performance of the first three movements of Dvorak's String Quartet No. 11 in C Major, Op. 61. While many have enjoyed performances by the quartet much like this one, few have experienced the intimacy of the conversation that followed.

Juilliard's president, Joseph W. Polisi, began by giving a brief history of the group. The all-faculty ensemble has been the quartet-in-residence at The Juilliard School for the past 55 years. In this capacity, they have had a seminal influence on the string musicians who study at Juilliard. Dr. Polisi noted that the group is an inspiration to students as they set their own artistic goals and master the skills necessary for ensemble performance.

Violist Samuel Rhodes observed that the Juilliard String Quartet of 2003 continues to reflect the underpinnings of the original group and brings a great tradition of music making to modern times. He stressed the importance of looking at music through the eye of a composer. Violinist Joel Smirnoff followed up by saying that there have always been composers in the group, and he reminds students "to get a feeling for what it's like to confront the blank page." This, in turn, gives students the ability to understand the music on a new level, which brings a new dimension to the pieces they play.

Joel Smirnoff and Ovation Society and Juilliard Club member Sabine Krayenbuehl Saunders. (Photo by Tanya Tribble)

The quartet's success has much to do with how its members work together as a group, while excelling as individual artists. Cellist Joel Krosnick explained that a quartet is made up of four distinct voices, each representing the four ranges—soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. A quartet like the J.S.Q., therefore, is strong because those four elements are expressed in their own voices. Smirnoff added that one hears each voice separately but also can hear the dialogue among the four people. "Hearing your place in the harmony is what makes the experience unmistakable."

President Polisi ended the conversation by asking the members of the J.S.Q. what qualities they look for when auditioning young quartets at the School. Violinist Ronald Copes said that, in addition to the confidence and experience any musician needs, members of a quartet must have "an interest in the language" and must have the ability to communicate that language to the audience. Krosnick stressed that one must listen to the voices that are speaking without losing one's own voice. Rhodes agreed that in their "teamwork" there is a fine balance between "contributing and yielding," in which the result is much better than either one alone.

Joel Smirnoff, Ronald Copes, Joel Krosnick, Samuel Rhodes, and Joseph Polisi discuss chamber music. (Photo by Tanya Tribble)

The quartet entertained a few questions from the audience and then closed the presentation with the final movement of the Dvorak quartet, after which members and friends of the Ovation Society attended a reception in Morse Hall, where they gathered to talk with Smirnoff, Copes, Rhodes, and Krosnick over wine and hors d'oeuvres.

The Juilliard String Quartet appeared as part of an ongoing mix of theater, dance, opera, jazz, and classical music presentations designed exclusively for members of the Juilliard Ovation Society. These events provide performing arts enthusiasts with opportunities to meet celebrated artists and learn firsthand about the artistic development of Juilliard's young students. Other membership privileges include invitations to master classes and a personalized telephone ticketing service for prime seating at Juilliard performances. Membership contributions support a wide range of activities at Juilliard, including scholarships, performances, outreach programs, and newly commissioned works. For more information, please contact the Office of Development and Public Affairs at (212) 799-5000, ext. 278, or visit www.juilliard.edu/giving/membership.html.

Jennifer L. Burlenski is the assistant director of annual giving.