Guy Braunstein, the esteemed former concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, embodies the essence of a consummate musician. Known for his roles as both soloist and conductor with the Tivoli Copenhagen Phil, he now graces the Tivoli Glass Hall Theatre, offering a chance to witness his artistry in a chamber music setting. The concert features a collaboration between Braunstein’s string quartet, the Elma Quartet, and flutist Gili Schwarzman. While the flute is a staple in orchestral music, its presence in chamber music is less prominent. For a flutist dedicated to chamber music, like Schwarzman, adapting compositions to include the flute becomes essential.

In the late 18th and 19th centuries, the flute was not particularly favoured by composers. Interestingly, Mozart is rumoured to have had a personal aversion to the instrument. Despite this, he composed a number of works for the flute, including concertos and chamber music, albeit on a commission basis. These pieces, however, turned out to be exquisite. Schwarzman will perform Mozart’s Flute Quartet No. 3 at the Tivoli Glass Hall Theatre, a work exemplifying Mozart’s melodic charm and comprising just two movements.

Johannes Brahms, who did not compose chamber music specifically for the flute, still inspires the evening’s repertoire. The musicians will present an adapted version of Brahms’ String Quartet No. 2 for flute and strings. This creative adaptation introduces new tonal dimensions and interpretations, aligning with Brahms’ own practice of rearranging his compositions for different instruments, though he never did so for the flute.

In the interlude between Mozart and Brahms, the Elma Quartet will take the stage alone to perform Czech composer Josef Suk’s String Quartet No. 2. Composed at the height of Suk’s creative prowess, this quartet, structured in a single extended movement, was groundbreaking for its time. Its premiere in 1912 sparked intense controversy among the audience. Over time, however, our musical sensibilities have evolved, making it difficult to comprehend the initial shock this piece once caused.

Photo: Gili Schwarzman and Guy Braunstein. Credit: Boaz Arad.