9 July 2006
The Allegri Quartet with Peter Carter and Bruno Shrecker
Schubert QuartettSatz
Mozart Quartet in C, K465, "Dissonance"
Tchaikovsky Sextet "Souvenir de Florence"
Schubert is a composer in whom intensity of musical expression never produces ugly or jarring music, even in the moments of Gothick terror that inform some of his works. The Allegri gave us a beautiful and deeply felt reading of the Quartettsatz, allowing the melodies to ring out through the stillness of the Llanfyllin summer evening.
Pal reminded us that in the place of the advertised Mozart, we were to hear the Beethoven originally intended for the first concert. He described the quartet (Op 18 No 1) as one of Beethoven's most witty early works, and so indeed it proved, the music sparkling and lively. From the invigorating chords that opened the first movement to the final striking cadence, this was an intelligent and inspiring performance.
The Tchaikovsky Sextet after the interval marked an Allegri first - in all its long and illustrious life, and its many incarnations, the Allegri Quartet has never before played this lovely piece! Souvenir de Florence is an exciting work, as Christopher Symons said in the programme notes, "Tchaikovsky at his most cheerfully romantic best" with expansive melodies that allow the musicians to demonstrate all the beauty of tone at their command. This was an exciting performance that won uproarious and prolonged applause from the audience - a fantastic climax to the 2006 season.
Rachel Wright
Committee Member