Korean ensemble were simply sensational

It’s a reflection on getting on in life when string quartets seem to be getting younger by the day! And judging by the performance of the Esme Quartet in the Marryat hall on Tuesday evening, they’re getting more proficient too! This young Korean ensemble performed a programme of Beethoven, Frank Bridge and Schubert that would have had seasoned quartets doffing their caps in admiration. They were quite sensational.

The Esme ensured that each of the three had their own wonderful characteristics – an early Beethoven quartet, one of Schubert’s last and Bridge’s first real foray into the chamber music genre – but one stood out head and shoulders above the others.

This was Schubert’s G major D887 quartet. It’s demanding, intense and magical. It was originally turned down by the publisher but had he heardthis performance he would have bitten off Schubert’s hand.

It’s also one of the ultimate tests for any quartet, but this young ensemble took it head-on and delivered a stupendous performance. A passionate andante, an effervescent Scherzo and a relentless finale – not to mention an opening movement of immense appeal – epitomised the wonderful nature of the string quartet.

It even eclipsed the Beethoven, both in terms of construction and performance. This is no mean feat in itself as it is full of invention, vigour and vivacity. Like the Schubert, it has a slow movement of supreme beauty but not quite in the same scale of passion and pathos.

As for the Bridge Noveletten – welcome to the great repertoire of string quartet music. This was a new one to most of the audience but it had instant appeal. If it had any connection with them it was the Esme’s perfectly interpreted performance, one of maturity far beyond their years.