CDs showcase Utah musicians

THE FRY STREET QUARTET; Beethoven, Stravinsky, Rorem, Scearce (FSQ)*** 1/2

MORRIS ROSENZWEIG: CHAMBER MUSIC 1997-2003 (Albany Records)*** 1/2

MUSIC BY MIGUEL CHUAQUI (Centaur)*** 1/2

A double album by Utah State University's resident Fry Street Quartet as well as CDs with music by two University of Utah composers, performed by area and outside musicians, highlight the range and diversity of classical music in the Beehive State.

• The Fry Street Quartet (violinists Jessica Guideri and Rebecca McFaul; violist Russell Fallstad; cellist Anne Francis) is an energetic, vibrant group that plays with passion and intensity and exhibits technical acumen and remarkable artistry. The group's interpretations are articulate and insightful.

FSQ shows its marvelous talent on its most recent release, a two-disc album featuring quartets by Beethoven, Stravinsky, Ned Rorem and J. Mark Scearce. And in each case, the foursome play as if they own the music, with perceptiveness and a keen understanding of the inner workings of each piece.

The first disc consists of two works by Beethoven — the early Quartet in A major, op. 18, no. 5, and one of the composer's most sublime statements in the form, the Quartet in A minor, op. 132.

The A major is perhaps the most classical of the six works that comprise the op. 18 set. FSQ captures the classical poise and refined elegance of the music. It brings out the delightful melodicism with its expressive and lyrically crafted reading.

In the A minor Quartet, the four musicians easily capture the breadth and scope of the work with their forceful reading. Particularly notable is their interpretation of the third movement (Molto Adagio), capturing the pathos, angst and defiance of the music with sensitivity and feeling.

The second disc — musically and stylistically diverse — opens with Stravinsky's brief "Three Pieces for String Quartet." FSQ gives a succinct and lucid performance of these abstract pieces.

Rorem, on the other hand, is a shameless romantic. But even though his music is solidly