Alexander String Quartet at San Francisco State University

This weekend’s concert: The Alexander String Quartet at San Francisco State University{.broken_link}. This performance was a part of the Morrison Artists’ Series, same as the David Finckel and Wu Han performance I caught earlier this year.

The set list from this performance:

• Divertimento in D Major, K. 136 by W. A. Mozart
• String Quartet No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 7, Sz. 40 by Bela Bartok
• String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810 (“Death and the Maiden”) by Franz Schubert

I enjoyed them all but of the three I liked the Schubert best, followed by the Mozart and then the Bartok. The performances were, unsurprisingly, very good. Despite that I found myself feeling sorry for the poor viola player. Though his instrument is beautifully resonant he never got the chance to shine, instead playing second fiddle (ahem) to the violin or cello.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience, not only because of the performance but also because it was the final nail in the coffin of my 2007 New Year’s Resolution. I have seen live music every month of the year (sometimes many times in a single month). Hurrah! Resolution fulfilled! Now all I need to do is to come up with something equally as enjoyable for 2008.