Alexander SQ with John Novacek (middle) Oct. 10

FINAL ALEXANDER SQ CONCERT AT MUSIC AT OAKMONT

Music at Oakmont’s new season launched Oct. 10 in Berger Auditorium with a concert of musical contrasts. 100 attended the first of six concerts in the splendid series that began 34 years ago with the insouciant impresario founder Robert Hayden.

In their ensemble’s final career tour the San Francisco-based Alexander String Quartet easily moved through a first half with works that seemed “old shoe” to the exemplary group, Haydn’s Op. 20, No. 5 Quartet in F Minor, and Beethoven’s E-Flat Major Quartet, Op. 74, the “Harp.”

The odd Berger acoustics with soft A/C noise were not a problem in the four-movement Haydn, Sandy Wilson’s cello line carried well in the dramatic and throbbing music that had a tense passionate climax at the Allegro’s end. The siciliano Adagio was played gloriously with subtle dynamic control, the center of the work, perhaps more convincing than the fugue in the finale that spotlighted violist David Samuel’s thematic statements. Wonderful.

The 31 minutes of the Beethoven featured playing in the opening Allegro that was initially mysterious, pizzicato and spiccato abounding with brilliant passage work from violinist Zakarias Grafilo. Much quite playing was on display in the spiritual Adagio, the emotions rich and delicately quiet. Playing in the Scherzo was expected to be ferocious, and it was, leading to the fast cello passages in the finale’s theme and variations. Contrasts were everywhere – demanding phrases alternating with gentle and lyrical phrases and a potent concluding coda.

Following intermission the Brahms F Minor Quintet, Op. 34, was heard, with pianist John Novacek joining the Alexander. This work has always seemed to me to a rainy cold winter night piece, after a full dinner, but here it received an interpretation that was far less than the expected surging power, and perhaps a bit underplayed. The pianist had a tempered dramatic approach that the Alexander followed throughout, immediately evident in the opening Allegro’s tragic and sonorous first theme with legtoand staccato and extended development leading to playing of a thrilling climax ending.

The rest of the piece unfolded with telling intensity and a Scherzo with great rhythmic drive and declamatory thematic playing form all five performers. The Poco Sostenuto (finale) was played orchestrally with deft changes in tempo. Good enough for a warm and sunny Sonoma Valley afternoon event? Absolutely.

Music at Oakmont’s savvy staff hosted a post-concert reception in Berger with the ASQ and Mr. Novacek mingling with admirers and local musicians.