13 July 2008
The Allegri String Quartet
With Peter Carter and Bruno Schrecker
Mozart Quintet K174 in B flat
Brahms Quintet No 2 in G
Brahms Sextet in G major
There is always a slight sense of "the world upside down" for long-time festival goers seeing Peter Carter walk on with a viola. Not that we have any complaints about the performance... This was also Pal's final concert with the Quartet - even if in fact he was playing in a Quintet and a Sextet instead, in keeping with the tradition of the Festival, of welcoming additional performers for the second weekend.
Raffy explained that Mozart had written two Trios for this Quintet, and with typical adventurous perversity the Allegri had chosen to play the one he scrapped - apparently they prefer it! Certainly we heard a delightful performance tonight, delicate, playful and yet expansive.
The Brahms Quintet was altogether different, much denser in texture, ample evidence of the different ways in which different composers handle the same forces. Almost orchestral in sonority, it offered ample opportunity in particular for Dot's Viola and Pal's 'Cello to shine.
In the second half, the Allegri were joined by both Bruno and Peter for the Brahms Sextet. Exuberant, tender, riotous and pensive by turns, this was a fantastic performance which brought the Festival to a rousing conclusion. If only we could hear such music every week!
Rachel Wright
Committee Member