Wow!

March 2, 2025 | Concert Recap, Ms Treble

My first impression as the Poiesis Quartet took the stage last Sunday, March 2, at Trinity Baptist Church was “Whoa, what is this?” Hawaiian print shirts, sparkly sequined pants, and, lo and behold, a shaved head, bulky black boots and a glittery wine-colored maxi-dress. One was tempted to wonder, “Ok, they got our attention, but can they play?” But wait! Then they began to draw their bows and Wow! What we heard Sunday was shocking all right, shockingly wonderful playing.

This is the sort of “classical” music performance I wish those folks, young and old, who think classical music is outdated, boring or sleep-inducing could hear. Everything about their playing was outstanding; their excellent technique and musicianship, their impeccable ensemble playing, their energic and exuberant playing throughout the program. They really seemed to love what they were doing, and they made us love them for it. And to imagine this young ensemble has been playing together for a mere three years, gathering multiple Grand Prizes and Gold Medals along the way.

The word Poiesis is derived from ancient Greek and means “in the process of emergence of something that did not previously exist”. Perhaps they chose this name because their intent is to bring much more from the music than previous performances have done. As if before hearing their performance of a piece of music, we had never realized it’s potential. This intent was clearly displayed throughout their program, whether in the Texas premiere of Brian Raphael Nabors’ 2024 String Quartet, Brahms’ String Quartet No. 3, Op. 67, one of Brahms’ three surviving string quartets, or Bela Bartok’s String Quartet No. 5. What we heard was more life, more virtuosity, and more joy than we usually hear from far better-known string quartets.

Congratuations, Poiesis! Live long and keep inspiring us!

– Ms Treble