Zephyr Quartet Presents Cult Classics – Adelaide Fringe Review

Royal Croquet Club’s The Menagerie, Sat Feb 15 Zephyr Quartet, comprising Belinda Gehlert (violin), Emily Tulloch (violin), Jason Thomas (viola) and Hilary Kleinig (cello) are unique among the plethora of classically driven string quartets. Champions of progressive ‘art’ music, Zephyr Quartet has collaborated with other creative souls from widely diverse fields as visual art, theatre and film to DJs, designers and toddlers to propel and enhance their spirit of artistic adventure. Not only are all four members consummate musicians, they are genuinely funny and unassuming individuals. Gehlert’s introduction and audience welcome to the stiflingly hot Menagerie gig as ‘the Zephyr Quartet’s Centre for Weight Loss’ set the tone for a very light and entertaining afternoon. Cult Classics explores the brilliance of a well-crafted pop song, and some of the elements that create a classic song; the beauty of melody blended with driving pulse, insistent hooks and resonant harmonies. Add to that musical devices such as perfectly executed dynamic subtleties and unison swells with the passion, camaraderie and impeccable musicianship of these exceptional string players and you will be privileged to drink the joy that emanates through every nuance of their performance. Utilising the full range of tonal possibilities each arrangement melds harmonic overtones, glissandos, pizzicato, arco and percussive taps to create refreshingly unique versions of pieces embedded in our psyche. …and they know how to have fun with it! The encore piece, a driving arrangement of Chandelier by Adelaide’s internationally successful Sia, had the quartet members pay homage by donning blonde wigs and facing the back of the stage. If you missed this one-off Cult Classics performance ensure you catch the next venture by these magnificently marauding musical minstrels!