It was a dark and stormy night November 21, 2024, but braving the elements to travel to the McCarter in Princeton, NJ, had many rewards. The evening was titled, “Randall Goosby Returns: Renaissance Quartet.” Internationally famed violinist (and heartthrob) Randall Goosby along with unbearably sexy violinist Jeremiah Blacklow, incandescent violist Jameel Martin, and adorable, delicious, cellist Daniel Hass appeared as the Renaissance Quartet.

Program Mendelssohn: Quartet No. 1 in E flat, Op. 12 Janáček: Quartet No. 1 “Kreutzer Sonata” Daniel Hass: Quartet No. 1 “Love and Levity”

Mr. Goosby appeared here years ago at the threshold of a brilliant solo career, and he now returns with his friends as the Renaissance Quartet. 

The first piece was an incandescent performance of the Mendelssohn. Propelled by youthful exuberance, male passion, and unerring musicianship, it was totally riveting. Superb. Desultory applause was their reward from the audience. 

The second piece on the program was the Janacek Quartet. Mr. Goosby spoke to the audience saying each piece tonight was a first quartet by each composer. Mr. Martin spoke about the Janacek, which he clearly loved. The Janacek was briskly, eerily European, with a pronounced demonic structure. It was magnificent. The audience applauded this splendidly realized piece with indifferent applause barely squeezed out of their dry husks of bodies. Notably, there were many young people in the audience,  who had the look of Princeton University students. Perhaps most were dazed and confused by the musical perfection.

Of course, the Hass quartet was created by the cellist, Daniel Hass, who we learned was born in 1997. What? Yes. We all have blankets older than that, yet here was a true genius before us, so tender, so talented, so handsome, so accomplished.  Listening to the music was like being kissed all over one’s body by Jonathan Bailey, Paul Mescal, Shawn Mendes, and Timothee Chalumet. Tender lips caressing our ears, throats, collar bones, wherever. Members of the quartet took turns going wild with artistic abandon. Of special note was the Dionysiac possession  of second violin Jeremiah Blacklow, whose feral passions made many clutch their pearls. And that was only the men.

Juilliard nurtured all four young men. How do such prodigies exist among us? Life continues to surprise and amaze us.

Somehow, the audience, sitting all through this brilliant concert in a frigid cold theatre, somehow came alive for hearty applause at the end of the program. 

Return soon to Princeton, Renaissance Quartet,  we need your mystical playing and young male passion.

The McCarter season continues for months to come. The Brandenburg Concertos are sold out, but many theatre, music, and dance performances remain. For more information,  visit www.mccarter.org .