Mozart | String Quartet in D K.575 |
Marco Nikodijević | String Quartet No. 2 |
Schumann | String Quartet in A Op. 41 No. 3 |
From the opening bar of this concert it was obvious we were in the hands of a
consummately professional group of musicians. Mozart’s quartet composed in the last
years of his life calls for sensitivity rather than any sort of grandstanding, and Martin
Funda as first violin led his colleagues in establishing a truly elegiac atmosphere for this beautiful composition. With major themes occasionally dipping into minor keys, and
otherwise straightforward musical scales given a new, magical touch, this was a
wonderful start to the concert. It was followed by Marco Nikodijević's Second Quartet, composed for these musicians and well rewarding the audience half way through with a
thumping tango tune. Menacing at times, deeply atmospheric and with lots of work for
Teresa Schwamm-Biskamp on the viola, this diverting new piece was much applauded.
After the interval, Schumann’s String Quartet once again showed our musicians in
top form. Warmly affectionate at one moment, agitated at the next, pensive at all times,
the personality of this brilliant but troubled composer came through this quartet as clearly
and memorably as could possibly be. The enthusiastic applause by the end was well
earned and a fitting response from a packed audience undaunted by the cold outside in
such contrast to the warmth of the music within.
Reviewer: NIcholas Tucker
Photographer: David James