13 November 2009

Innovation Chamber Ensemble

St Mary's Church, Shrewsbury

"Intense works played with skill"

A quintet led by cellist Richard Jenkinson, consisting of cello, two violins and two violas, played music by Mendelssohn, Vaughan Williams and Brahms in the warm, resonant acoustic of St Mary's Church.

This was part of the Shropshire Music Trust's excellent season.

The works showed these composers at their most intense, giving the players moments of virtuosity whilst retaining the intimacy of a skilled chamber ensemble.

Mendelssohn's String Quintet in A is a glorious work in which violinist Zoe Beyers played a solo part with virtuosity. The second movement, an andante, was performed just briskly enough.

Vaughan Williams' Phantasy Quintet is a brief, dense work. Viola player Adam Romer opened the first, sombre movement in hushed tones which could hardly be bettered, a quality of music-making equalled by viola player Angela Swanson and violinist Amy Marshall.

The concert ended with the mighty String Quintet in G major by Brahms.

This late Romantic work is a huge challenge to the players. And the only suitable adjective for this performance is magnificent - a dramatic ending to a memorable concert.

Andrew Petch

Last Updated : 30/11/2009