Siblings’ String Quartet Takes a Bow at University Synagogue

Four siblings from Montana performed a compendium of classical music to a nearly packed house Sunday at University Synagogue in Brentwood. The concert kicked off the Music Guild’s Spring Series.

The Werner Quartet, which consists of the Juilliard-trained Werner siblings—Helene, 22, Luc, 20, Mariel, 19, and Andree, 17—performed selections from Bach, Beethoven and Brahms and other classical music greats.

The program featured a variety of selections for a cello quartet, and cello and piano ensemble.

The concert kicked off with "Chaconne" from Partita in D Minor, No. 2 by Johann Sebastian Bach. The piece's stately introduction blended into an expansive and slow middle movement. The finale was strong and deliberate.

The blend of cello and piano soothed,  and the audience appeared riveted by every note.

Aside from classical music, the Werner Quartet also performs Argentine tangos, jazz combos and occasionally uses electric cellos to play unique arrangements of rock 'n' roll favorites.

The quartet members also excel outside of music halls.

Mariel Werner was one of only two students from Montana selected for the prestigious Presidential Scholars award for outstanding high school students. She will head to Washington, D.C., later this month to receive her award personally from President Obama.

“I was so surprised by the level of talent of this group that I wanted the Guild to hear them,” said Eugene Golden, director of the Music Guild, which was founded in 1944. Golden says the Guild's goal is to present the finest chamber music in the world to as many people in Los Angeles as it can reach.

The Guild has expanded into the South Bay area and the San Fernando Valley in order to reach more music lovers.

In addition to hosting concerts, the Music Guild also sponsors music education programs in local schools. The Werner Quartet will visit Braddock Drive Elementary School in Culver City while it is in Southern California.

“The entire school is coming out for the performance,” Golden said. “I love the idea of young people performing, because [the Werners] are not much older than the children they will be playing for and I think the students will really be inspired.”

Annette Kaufman, 96, widow of music great Louis Kaufman, has been a member of the Music Guild since the beginning. She said she looked forward to hearing the Werner Quartet.

“I’ve heard about this extraordinary family of three sisters and a brother from Montana, and they are obviously very talented,” Kaufman said. “It’s highly unusual to have a group of young people with such talent.”