30 June 2006
The Allegri Quartet
Beethoven Op 18 No. 1
Shostakovich Quartet No. 8
Tchaikovsky Quartet No.1
A slightly smaller audience than usual gathered for this first concert of the 2006 Festival, but nevertheless an enthusiastic and knowledgeable one. The concert opened with something of a surprise. Daniel Rowland, who will shortly be leaving the Quartet, was unable to be present, and his place was taken by Alda Dizdari, a young Albanian violinist who is now a Fellow of the Guildhall School of Music. This also resulted in a slight change of programme - the advertised Beethoven was replaced by the Mozart "Dissonance" Quartet, K465, which was originally programmed for the final concert of the Festival. Alda led the Allegri in an assured and sparkling performance - very much the Allegri we know and love, even though she had had only three weeks of rehearsals to prepare for it!
After that, we were back to the programme as planned for the Shostakovich Quartet No 8, which as Pal reminded us the Quartet last played in Llanfyllin on the never-to-be-forgotten occasion when they had been involved in a car accident on the way, and started the concert an hour late in consequence, "glad to be alive at all", as he said. We were all reassured that he told us they are still glad to be alive! The Quartet No 8 is considered one of Shostakovich's most accessible quartets, one which "speaks" even to those less convinced by late 20th century music. In this truly electrifying performance, the intensity and intelligence which are so much in the tradition of the Allegri's interpretations were both clearly in evidence. By avoiding the trap of excessive emotionalism that less thoughtful groups sometimes fall into, the Allegri allowed the music to speak for itself, and had their reward in the enthusiastic response of the audience.
After the interval, the Quartet returned to play Tchaikovsky's String Quartet No1, Op 11. This is an expansive piece, almost orchestral in feel, a welcome relief after the intensity of the Shostakovich. It brought the concert to an exciting and satisfying conclusion.
Rachel Wright
Committee Member