BWW Reviews: Well-Strung Thrills with POPSSICAL Encore at 54 Below

New York City based string quartet Well-Strung returned to 54 Below on Friday, March 27, 2015. Performing to a sold-out house, the always charming and handsome performers delighted audiences with an encore engagement of their entertaining hit show POPssical. While reprising much of what they performed the last time I reviewed them in late October, the guys' charismatic set had a handful of new surprises.

Like before, the show kicked off with a mash-up of the overture from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Le Nozze Di Figaro and "I Gotta Feeling" (The Black Eyed Peas, David Guetta, Frédéric Riesterer). This effervescent combination of music, like many of their pieces, is the kind of smooth pop bubbly that pairs perfectly with Prosecco and keeps the night light and fun. Whether performing a sterling cover of "Open Your Heart" (Madonna, Gardner Cole, Peter Rafelson) or delivering a pristinely brooding and ominous variation of Edvard Grieg's "String Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 27," Well-Strung appears as the coolest wedding string quartet imaginable, selling the show with their effortless energy and charm.

Standout performances of the evening included the refreshingly classical cover of "Semi-Charmed Life" (Stephan Jenkins). While the audience and I bounced along with the lively take on the up-tempo radio hit, I couldn't help but notice that the string quartet treatment of the song takes the edge off of the drug addled lyrics. Like last time, their take on "Wrecking Ball" (Dr. Luke, MoZella, Stephan Moccio, Sacha Skarbek, Cirkut) was stunning, really showcasing both their vocal and string instrument skills as they deftly maneuvered through varied volumes to ensure the emotional urgency of the piece. For another dose of vibrancy the men offered their New York debut of "Blank Space" (Taylor Swift, Max Martin, Shellback). Having fun with the popular tune, they smartly played with the delivery of lyrics, letting each member sing one word at a time, and utilize a lush a capella section for the song's bridge.

Throughout the show, each member spends some time in the spotlight delivering monologues filled with humorous vignettes from their lives. Like when I saw them in October, Trevor Wadleigh's monologue was the most touching as he discussed being bullied for his mannerisms and voice. As a child, he discovered another voice through his viola and quotes Victor Hugo to the audience: "Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." This makes his perfect rendition of Sergei Rachmaninoff's "14 Romances, Op. 34, XIV. Vocalise" all the more stirring and powerful. Furthermore, showcasing their outstanding ability to harmonize and make gorgeous music all the more beautiful, the men also delivered an astounding version of "Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen).

It is always a pleasure to catch Well-Strung in performance, and it is great to see the diversity that they draw. Their sold-out show at 54 Below featured patrons of various ages and of a spectrum of ethnicities. Also, I can only imagine their blending modern pop hits with the hits of classical pops will brings new audiences to these disparate ends of the musical spectrum.

For more information about Well-Strung, please visit http://www.well-strung.com. You can also follow the band on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Also, their debut self-titled album is currently available for purchase with their sophomore album, POPssical, expected out this fall.

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