Van Kuijk Quartet

Schubert’s ‘Death and the Maiden’ quartet was written in the crucible of despair as the young composer faced up to the fatal consequences of syphilis. His monumental 14th quartet is temperamental, angry and heart-rendingly poignant. It is also justly one of the most loved in the chamber repertoire. This award-winning ensemble certainly enjoyed playing it, meeting Schubert’s challenges with delicacy and vigour, smiling after difficult passages. How do you follow such a quality performance? The transcriptions by Jean-Christophe Masson of three Poulenc songs, with their intimate passing across of melodies, lush dissonances and sensuous rubato, were short but gloriously sweet!