Summer Schubertiade – Heath Quartet with Philip Higham (cello)

Brighton Festival’s Summer Schubertiade reached a magnificent climax in Alfriston’s ‘Cathedral of the South Downs’. Mature, witty Haydn (String Quartet in B flat, Op.33 No.4) and the intriguing, brief 12 Microludes of György Kurtág (very enthusiastically introduced) made a well-balanced first half.

Then came the gold: Schubert’s glorious String Quintet in C, D.956. Composed just weeks before his early death, this monumental work demands a delicacy and strength which came naturally to these players. In this generous acoustic, completely surrounded by a very attentive audience, the poignant slower movements were particularly successful, making this performance both intimate and triumphant – BRAVO!

St Andrew’s Church, Alfriston, 4 August 2012

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