Review: Exciting last movement brought an imaginatively planned evening to a close

Jubilee last played for Leamington Music in Jubilee year.

But, that is not why they took the name. No, the thinking was more pragmatic – in 2006 when they formed at the Royal Academy they all lived close to the Jubilee Line.

Almost a decade later they are in much demand and are recent winners of a host of competitions with an entry in the 2015 Royal Overseas League competition in early March.

Their line up has changed with Paula Muldoon, ex-Guildhall, guesting in place of Alma Olite. The change did not impact their performance of Bartok’s String Quartet No 3 – an intelligent, well led one by Tereza Privratska - and for many the highlight of the evening.

Recent visiting successes, Zemlinsky, Stile Antico and She’Koyokh have witnessed increased attendances and Jubilee rewarded a good house with Mozart’s 22nd a very late one, his penultimate quartet.

The larghetto, with its stunning melody line, gave Muldoon a chance to settle in whilst keeping a watchful eye on Privratska. An early Mendelssohn quartet, No 2 in A minor Opus 13 required another intelligent lead, strong cello contributions and at times, a light touch, most particularly in the intermezzo.

This format continued in the exciting last movement, presto, bringing an imaginatively planned and ultimately rewarding evening to a close.

Rating 9/10

By Clive Peacock