Review - Spontaneity to the fore in vibrant performance

Martinů’s legendary association with Leamington Music continued last Friday with one of those concerts the audience wished would never end. With Ravel, Martinů and Smetana in the programme, most audiences would wish such a feast to never end!

Ravel’s only string quartet, Quartet in F major, opened the evening. Earlier this week BBC Radio 3’s announcer expressed her deep regret that Ravel had composed only one; then played just the first movement!! At Holy Trinity we were treated to one of those remarkable performances of all four movements, full of immense charm, packed with the most delicate pizzicato playing, strong viola inputs when needed and strong cello inputs, too. Martinů’s playing is in such contrast with other legends of Leamington Music, the Lindsay String Quartet, whose attacking manner is so very different, with much greater sinewy vigour. The spontaneity of Martinů’s playing is to be admired.

String Quartet, No 2 by Bohuslav Martinů begins with a subdued opening before erupting into an animated mood with agile cello playing in the hands of Jitka Vlašánková. Long chords in unison are a feature of the second movement, one of considerable intensity. Folk-induced melodies appear in the third and last movement, played at pace with themes from the first movement revealing themselves again before a brilliant and feisty finish.

Striking viola playing by Martin Stupka opened the first of Smetana’s two stupendous quartets; composed two years after he had gone deaf. Those viola early themes are quickly picked up by the leader, the seemingly ageless Lubomir Havlák. He is a joy to watch, full of smiles and always appreciative of the efforts of his team. Viola supremacy is a feature of the second movement and intricate cello pizzicato playing a vivid memory of the third. A vivacious opening to the last movement is firmly grounded by deliberate cello playing. Soon the sadness of Smetana’s health is revealed and the quartet fades away with a few tender pizzicato played final notes. Sadly the disease killed him at the age of 60.

Just time for an encore, one of Dvořák’s 18 love songs, Cypresses.

Visit leamingtonmusic.org for details of future concerts organised by Leamington Music.