Heath Quartet

Having recently recorded Tippett’s string quartets at Wigmore Hall, the Heath Quartet understandably brought a sense of adventure and excitement to his fifth quartet in this brilliant Coffee Concert. The piece is icy and tricky in places but these were dexterously played, while rich, warm brushes brought the piece to an enthralling climax. Haydn’s String Quartet Op.50, No.4 featured some startling duelling violin in the first movement and the ensemble injected the somewhat strange piece with a sense of fun and drive. Gary Pomeroy’s stirring viola playing was a highlight in Dvořák’s String Quartet No.13 and a swinging finale ended the concert with a fine flourish.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, 23 October
Rating:
Joe Fuller