The Bartók quartet was the heart of this programme; written a century ago, it sounds a technical challenge to perform with the wide variety of playing techniques encompassed. The youthful Isla String Quartet gave the Keswick Music Society audience a bright, lively and precise interpretation. Some lovely playing of the solo melodies, especially from the cello. My recent exposure at the festival in La Grave to the music of Olivier Messiaen was good preparation for Béla Bartók’s composition of half a century earlier! Much of this music seemed almost visual, the melodic figures and their counterparts evoking shapes and maybe colours. Then resolving with almost the inevitability of a Bach fugue. An interesting musical experience.
The Isla Quartet clearly enjoyed playing the monumental Schubert quartet, many smiles and nods between the musicians, this came through in their sounds. Paradoxical as much of Schubert’s music in this, his last quartet, is bitter-sweet, memories tainted by regret.
Haydn as a warm-up, a meaty opus played with style and verve. A reminder that dissonance and strident rhythms existed in music well before the twentieth century.
A bright tone from the Isla Quartet, maybe heightened by recent changes in the layout of the church of St. Johns, Keswick. The choir stalls and carpet have been removed, leaving an area which has a hard, bright acoustic. The performers are now on stage blocks forward of the chancel step, the hard acoustic slightly moderated by loose carpet tiles, which look precarious.
Overall, I enjoyed the challenge of the Bartók, working out the puzzle. An interesting night again at Keswick Music Society, great that they are now in their 79th season with an audience still enthusiastic for a challenging programme played by upcoming artistes.
PROGRAMME: the Isla String Quartet at Keswick Music Society
Haydn: String Quartet in Bb Major, Op.50 No.1
Bartók: String Quartet No.4 in C Major
Schubert: Quartet No.15 in G Major, D.887