Review: Guitarra y Cuarteto
Guitarra y Cuarteto is exactly that: a program of mainly Spanish-influenced music for guitar and string quartet. But it is also so much more, thanks to the combined talents of Andrew Veivers and of the members of The Black Square Quartet.
The two-hour, two act program Guitarra y Cuarteto includes 17 pieces, the majority of which are composed by Veivers (each with string arrangements by Patterson). Veivers is one of Australia’s finest Spanish Guitarists, and a talented Australian composer, and The Black Square String Quartet is known for its advocacy of new & Australian music. Core members of The Black Square Quartet are Camille Barry (violin), Mike Patterson (violin and string arrangements), Charlotte Burbrook de Vere (viola), and Dan Curro (cello). It is great to see the depth and breadth of performing talent in Southeast Queensland; as Burbrook de Vere had another performing engagement on the first night of the tour, on 11 May the viola was beautifully played by Raquel Bastos.
The program was well-paced, allowing for more sorrowful and evocative numbers, and time for the quartet to shine in performing several of its member’s favourite pieces. The three Danish String Quartet-composed Last Leaf numbers (Last Leaf 1, Last Leaf 2, and Last Leaf 3) were well-chosen additions to the Guitarra y Cuarteto program. But my favourite quartet-only piece of the night was the second-half opening Strum (Jessie Montgomery, composer, with String Arrangements by Michael Patterson). Strum is a delight to listen to, and to watch (a compelling performance by cellist Dan Curro); a lyrical and evocative number that conveys a real sense of New York City life, complete with mood-shifts that move from urgency to reflection.
In addition to these more modern compositions, selected by the quartet, there were also a few more traditional pieces, each performed by all five artists. Fandango (from Boccherini’s Guitar Quintet in D major, G.448) was introduced as a natural choice, as one of the few classical pieces that bring the guitar together with a quartet. And Patterson’s arrangement of the traditional Romanian Nukau Tu was an excellent choice for a well-deserved encore.
Picture: Andrew Veivers and The Black Square Quartet. L to R: Camille Barry (violin), Mike Patterson (violin and string arrangements), Raquel Bastos (Viola) and Dan Curro (cello). All images credit Creative Futures Photography.
Picture: Mike Patterson (violin and string arrangements). Image credit Creative Futures Photography.
Picture: Andrew Veivers (credit Creative Futures Photography).
However, my favourite pieces of the evening were those with the stronger Spanish influence, each composed by Veivers with string arrangements by Patterson. The spirited and flamboyant opening El Tesoro had a wonderful interplay between the guitar and quartet—conjuring personal images of a train journey across the European countryside (perfect for an Agatha Christie film!). This was quickly followed by Bacalao, delivering on the promised flamenco aesthetic, and attracting enthusiastic audience approval (olé! indeed). I loved the lyrical Pollito, and El Pid was the perfect upbeat choice to end the first Act; we just needed flamenco dancers in the room to illustrate the El Pid tribute piece. Flamenco influences were also sprinkled across the second half, including the lovely Ida y Vuelta (‘there and back’) piece that drew so beautifully on Veivers’ travels between Australia and Spain. The charming second-Act lullabies (including Here Me Are) calmed the mood, before the program built to the closing Frederico Garcia Lorca-inspired La Tarara.
With so many calls on family budgets, I can see why some might elect to stream music rather than take time out to enjoy a live performance. However, enjoying the atmospheric cabaret-style seating (with many audience members taking advantage of the cost-effective BYO-option), it was so great to take time away from the distractions of screen-time and daily life, and to be immersed in the musical moment. Members of the Moreton Bay community are so lucky to have an excellent 2024 Anywhere Festival. The chance to see talented local performers, in unusual nooks and crannies across the region, is not to be missed.
Guitarra y Cuarteto was the perfect way to start my personal 2024 Anywhere Festival journey. If you missed it, their next Anywhere show is at Bribie Island on 18 May, as part of a longer, Red Chair-produced, tour during the month.
Picture: An enthralled audience listening to Andrew Veivers and The Black Square Quartet (L to R: Camille Barry (violin), Mike Patterson (violin and string arrangements), Raquel Bastos (viola) and Dan Curro (cello). All images credit Creative Futures Photography.
Audience information: The world premiere performance of Guitarra y Cuarteto was at the Hills District Community Centre, Everton Hills, on 11 May 2025. A further Anywhere Festival performance will be held on Saturday 18 May at the Bribie Island Recreational Hall (tickets also $25-30) and Red Chair Productions is also touring the Show with dates in May at an additional six SEQ venues (including a shorter, free show at Brisbane City Hall on 14 May). 120 minutes (including 15-minute interval), all ages (recommended 12+).
The reviewer attended the 11 May 2024 world premiere performance at Hills Community Centre.