Review: High energy and pace from string quartet in Leamington concert

Some music and some musicians seem made for each other. So it is with the Martinu Quartet, Gemma Rosefield (guest cello) and the string quintets by Taneyev and Schubert.

To mark the 100th anniversary of Taneyev’s death, Martinu are recording his three century ideals of contemporary quintets – one with two cellos, another with two violas and the last with a piano - Rosefield seemed immediately at home supporting her cello colleague, Jitka Vlasankova, during the pacey opening to Taneyev Quintet No 1 in G, followed by a furious second movement with notably examples of collegno.

The Taneyev approach is clearly influenced by late 20th music. Could this possibly be explained by Taneyev - the most trusted musician among Tchaikovsky’s friends - in disagreement on how creativity should be illustrated?

Tchaikovsky believed creativity should be spontaneous, Taneyev believed creativity should be deliberate and intellectual following much analysis. As a result, Taneyev’s Quintet showed the fastidiousness and diligence Tchaikovsky admired but did not always agree with. Inevitably there was controversy in the audience about the design and structure of the piece – nevertheless it was very warmly received.

Seeing Martinu in Warwickshire again reminds me of their remarkable performance of Schubert’s String Quartet No 14 in D minor in 2008, delivered with great energy and good judgement of pace. On this occasion, Martinu presented what has become one of the most popular works in the genre - Quintet in C - completed shortly before his death in 1828.

The memorable recurring themes of the first movement demand heavy string plucking by both Jitka and Gemma; this continues into the adagio before the cellos play in tandem in the scherzo, the original themes spotted once more in the last movement, the allegretto.

The energy and pace are strongly evident again – the music and Martinu’s association with Gemma are made for each other. Off they went to Truro for a repeat concert.

Clive Peacock