Rastrelli Cello Quartet - Tchaikovsky Andante Cantabile from the String Quartet n.1

 Rastrelli Cello Quartet Tchaikovsky Andante Cantabile performance

The Rastrelli Cello Quartet holds a very dear place in my heart. My mother (cellist Seongheui Jeon) studied alongside three of the cellists out of the quartet including the great Kira Kraftzoff, under the great teacher Anatoly Nikitin at the great St. Petersburg Conservatory. As I grew up listening to the very ‘Russian’ sound my mother produced from her cello, I realized it was shockingly similar to the sound produced by the Rastrelli Cello Quartet. The thin, wispy, melancholic yet warm sound was familiar and beautiful to my ears.

                                                          My mother, cellist Seongheui Jeon      

St. Petersburg conservatory alumni

This extremely Russian sound was perfect for the Tchaikovsky, as like I previously stated in this blog, when composer and performer are of the same nationality/culture, it works wonders (ex. Du Pre and Elgar, Rostropovich and Shostakovich/Prokofiev, etc). The Rastrelli Cello Quartet’s rendition of this piece further justifies this point. 

The success and greatness of any ensemble performance/rendition is dependent on the blend of the ensemble. You could have soloists like Rostropovich, Perlman, Horowitz, etc and the performance could still be horrible if the blend is not good in the ensemble (honestly having all those incredible soloists in one ensemble would probably result in a very entertaining but questionable performance, as all these soloists have such distinct voices and musicalities). 

Of course with Hauser's guidance and musical genius this ensemble might be a success...

The Rastrelli Cello Quartet’s greatest aspect is I believe their blend. Despite Kraftzoff holding the melody and all the others accompanying him, no sound really overpowers the other, and all of their cello voices can be heard in beautiful synergy. 

Kira Kraftzoff is incredible in this piece, sounding almost like a violin or viola in some parts, really adding to the melancholic mood of Tchaikovsky. Mischa Degtjareff, Kirill Timofeev, and Sergio Drabkin have an exceptionally good blend, not at all overpowering Kraftzoff however accompanying him beautifully. Their dynamic changes should really be pointed out in this piece, as well as how they change their color as an ensemble as well, going from the coldest most melancholy to a rich warm bronzish sound (as well as the most incredible “Russian” pianissimo sound they all can produce). 

Their technique is of course flawless as cellists (very Russian-esc), having a huge array of colors in their vibrato and just as many textures with the bow. Intonation as a whole is obviously perfect (which is also a crucial part of ensemble music that they are perfect in). 

Overall, Tchaikovsky’s Andante Cantabile was a perfect match with the Rastrelli Cello Quartet, and a very enjoyable listen.