String Quartets – Disharmony & Dischord II

It was with sadness that I wrote about the departure of our violist last month, whose name I shall change to protect the innocent to ‘Garth Davis’ (not a personal favourite in case you’re wondering!).

I wrote about how the it was like losing a family member, but I am beginning to see it more as the break-up of a long-standing relationship. Like lovers, though with obvious distinctions. What changed my mind? A text out of the blue saying that the gigs the departing member of our menage a quatre had insisted he be allowed to do, he was dropping out of. Like the partner in a break-up who insists you both agree to ‘remain friends’, sadness inevitably turns sour into bitterness. It wasn’t entirely unexpected, and at least no cd collections had to be carefully dissected and seperated, but it leaves a scar on the memory of what was.

I want to stay on the high ground here. I refuse to turn bitter, and instead feel sad that one person can be vindictive to people he’s worked so close with – waiting 4 weeks to tell us was designed to cause us some stress.

Still, I enjoy the quartet, and love it’s new direction – on to the future!