08 November 2009WIHAN QUARTET - Complete Beethoven String Quartets II
Concord College, Acton Burnell
"Quartet played sublime concert"Our experience in the lovely concert hall of Concord College in the latest concert of this year's Shropshire Music Trust series was one brim full of effortless learning and total enjoyment.
It was the second of six performances by four wonderful Czech musicians, the Wihan Quartet, in which they are performing all of Beethoven's great String Quartets.
Each recital includes one quartet from Beethoven's early period, one from his middle period and one from his late period.
Through this format we unconsciously understood and absorbed just how much Beethoven had build on the foundation of his great predecessors, and how he expanded and developed the range of possibilities of the string quartet.
The three quartets performed were originally composed in 1789, 1809 and 1826.
The first showed its debt to Hayden and Mozart, whereas the last looked forwards to Brahams.
They were all played with huge professionalism and commitment to a very appreciative audience.
What a revelation.
The last work in particular brought the whole afternoon to a sublime conclusion.
The third of the Wihan Quartet recitals takes place on Sunday, January 24 at the Lion Hotel.
Michael Gillions
Last Updated : 30/11/2009