REVIEW: Chiaroscuro Quartet, Guildhall

The Chiaroscuro Quartet, which includes the world famous violin virtuoso Alina Ibragimova, as well as Pablo Hernan Benedi (violin), Emilie Hornlund (viola), and Claire Thirion (cello), made classic and authentic performances of Quartets by Haydn (his famous ‘Joke’ Quartet), Beethoven (his early Quartet in D Major, Op.18, No.3) and Mendelssohn’s Quartet in E Flat, Op.12, which includes the delightful Canzonetta second movement (a favourite movement of mine).

The Quartet plays music of the classical and early romantic periods on gut strings and with historical bows, but although authenticity is obviously important to the musicians they did not seem inhibited by this and their interpretations were full of character with wide dynamic contrasts when required and many individual touches in evidence. Delicacy and warmth also characterised the performances despite the humid weather and gull cries from outside the Guildhall!

The Quartet, like others we have heard at festival concerts seem to have forged a fine career in the musical world and record and perform internationally.The concert was given in memory of the King’s Lynn Festival’s founder Ruth Lady Fermoy. Jean Scott and other loyal former staff members and festival supporters are also remembered who have died in the last year.

Andy Tyler.