THE Newbold Piano Quartet made a very welcome appearance at The Wharf recently.
Their choice of three quartets was obviously carefully made: they began with Frank Bridge's Fantasy quartet, a piece with wonderful long melodic lines, played with great assurance and feeling.
This was followed by Dvorak's piano quartet no 1 in D, op 23. This is a delightful, dance-like piece, with variations on a theme beautifully explored by all four players. Tender or furious, comic or serious, the performers never faltered, and brought the music triumphantly singing to the audience.
After the interval we were treated to musical fireworks — Brahms' first piano quartet. This is a work of symphonic dimensions, and was powerfully portrayed, giving exquisite melodies leading us through a breathtaking cadenza to a thoroughly exciting finale.
This was chamber music at its very best — powerful, exciting and also gentle. The four players were at all times in total accord with each other. It is to be hoped that four such talented performers will come again to Tavistock before too long.
FELICITY BARNABY