3 June 2005
The Allegri Quartet with Bruno Schrecker
Haydn String Quartet Opus 20/4
Beethoven String Quartet Opus 18/4
Schubert String Quintet in C, D956
The Allegri were joined by Bruno Schrecker, "Father of the Festival". The Beethoven in the first half was introduced by Daniel Rowland, who referred to a recent article in one of the broadsheets describing Beethoven as "single-handedly responsible for the decline of European music", and the subsequent snowstorm of letters disagreeing. We were then left to make up our own minds - but with such powerful advocates as the Allegri, the decision was almost a foregone conclusion!
Bruno Schrecker introduced the Schubert Quintet, suggesting that it is a piece we all need to hear at least once a year if we are to maintain an equable frame of mind. This was music making in the best traditions of the Allegri Quartet, in which for all the effortless technical execution, we felt that the musicians were playing for love of the music.