BWW Reviews: Well-Strung's POPSSICAL is Astoundingly Vibrant

On May 1, 2012 Well-Strung debuted to a sold out audience at Joe's Pub. A little over two years later, the quartet is still impressing audiences with their brilliant mash-ups of classical hits and modern pop standards. Touring their latest show POPSSICAL, Well-Strung visited New York City's 54 BELOW last night and left the assembled audience both awestruck and invigorated. Their pulled from the pages of a magazine looks, winning personalities, wonderful voices, and incredible instrumental skills easily dazzle and delight for their entire set.

Well-Strung took the stage to enthusiastic applause and cheers, and kicked off POPSSICAL with a vibrant mash-up of the Overture from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's LE NOZZE DI FIGARO and the Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling." This high-energy opener was followed with a brilliant cover of Madonna's hit song "Open Your Heart," which was impossible not to mouth along to. They chased that smile-inducing gem with a gorgeous and brisk rendition of Maurice Ravel's "String Quartet in F major, Second Movement." Leaving the audience breathless by their technicality and precision, the guys shared some insight about Maurice Ravel, and how because of his underappreciated avant-garde melodies he was basically "the Susan Lucci of his time."

Seamlessly, the quartet transitioned into a resoundingly expressive and evocative version of Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know." Vocal solos by Trevor Wadleigh, Chris Marchant, and Daniel Shevlin during the piece captured the heartache filled essence of the song. Opposite that, next up in the set was a charming cover of One Direction's "You Don't Know You're Beautiful," which had the whole audience smiling and dancing along in their seats.

With tangible passion, Well-Strung launched into a completely epic, stunning, and remarkably stirring rendition of Edvard Grieg's "String Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 27." During this performance the crowd was dead silent, and I'm certain we all forgot to breathe as the four men played with such fervor that several hairs on each of their bows snapped. Without missing a beat, the group transitioned into an impressive rendition of Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball." Playing this popular tune, the quartet also impressed audiences with perfectly balanced and pitched vocal harmonies (especially during an a cappella section) that added more emotion to the piece than Miley Cyrus could ever muster. In all sincerity, after their thrilling performance, I told my guest, "They own this song now. It's theirs." It may have been written for Miley Cyrus, but it was meant to be performed by Well-Strung.

With clarity and confidence Well-Strung played a movement from Ludwig van Beethoven's "String Quartet No. 9 in C major," and followed that with an absolutely stunning mash-up of U2's "With or Without You" and Pink's "Try." Daniel Shevlin's vocals on the U2 parts were sublime, even in his upper register. Chris Marchant sang the Pink vocals with skill; however, coming after Daniel Shevlin's interlude about love, this was clearly his moment and he deftly sparkled in the spotlight.

Trevor Wadleigh then revealed the power that music and the viola has had in his life, and the group performed a lovely rendition of Sergei Rachmaninoff's "14 Romances, Op. 34, XIV. Vocalise." After that, it was Edmund Bagnell's turn to stand in the spotlight, explaining that he always enjoys fair competition. The quartet launched into a rousing rendition of Charlie Daniels Band's "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" that cleverly interpolated excerpts from Johann Sebastian Bach's "Concerto for Two Violins in D minor." Acting the song out, Edmund Bagnell stole the show on lead fiddle opposite Chris Marchant's "Devil."

Next up was a moving cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," which let the audience bask in Edmund Bagnell's gorgeous vocals, some more stunning vocal harmonies from the entire group, an astounding a cappella section, and some beautifully plucked music. Conjuring up images of glittering diamonds, Well-Strung performed a crowd pleasing mash-up of Karl Jenkins' "Palladio Suite, Palladio I, Allegretto" (you know the song from the Zales commercials) and Lourde's "Royals." Then, the quartet closed the show with their cherished hit mash-up of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "A Little Night Music, 1st Movement" and Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone."

In between numbers, the group's banter is entertaining and allows the audience to learn more about each of the four men who are performing. Some of their vignettes are funny while others delicately tug on out heartstrings. In these moments, the group is at their best with their unscripted responses to one another as some of the scripted moments feel a little over-rehearsed.

At the bottom line, each member of Well-Strung is ridiculously talented. All four have wonderful voices, and each is a virtuoso on their chosen string instrument. Their tonal and atmospheric sensibilities combined with their musicianship ensures that audiences who venture out to one of their performances is sure to be treated to a string quartet experience unlike any they have previously encountered. We always wonder how we can get the young interested in classical music, and I think Well-Strung's clever and crafty artistry may just be the solution.

For information about future performances, please visit http://www.well-strung.com. You can also follow the band on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

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