Coffee Concerts

Béla Bartok String Quartet No 4 (1928)

This, together with the music of the 3rd Quartet, includes some of the most uncompromising music Bartok wrote, but despite the level of dissonance and sometimes harshness of textures, is full of his energy, intensity of expression and ultimately is gloriously life-affirming.

After a slightly tentative start, the first movement, marked Allegro, really took off and had a wonderful sense of forward drive and rhythmic energy. The coda was very exciting Continue reading Doric String Quartet 20th September 2016 – Review by Guy Richardson, (Bartok and Debussy)

The Doric String Quartet tapped into something truly beautiful in the opening concert of Strings Attached’s 16/17 season. The night opened with Bartók: the quartet imbuing warmth and light into the dark but glorious tumult of his String Quartet No 4. Alex Redington’s quiet, subtle flurries on violin epitomised the quartet’s emotive, enjoyable performance of what might be considered a spiky piece by some.

Debussy’s String Quartet No 1 featured a striking and spirited attack in the first movement and the quartet brought the sheer lyricism of the piece to life in an enlivening performance. Cellist John Myerscough enthusiastically discussed their decision to perform Haydn last, explaining that the “king of the string quartet” should not be considered merely a pleasant opener but rather get the attention and framing he deserves. The exciting piece was vigorously played, a perfect ending to an inspired programme that showcased the diverse musical and emotional range of the string quartet form.

First read the order of service!

Now you can imagine how the new Coffee Concert launch exploded into life. We were blitzed by Bartok 4 from a standing start as the Doric turned the tables on us with imaginative but calculating reverse concert planning.

Instead of an orthodox and commonplace academic chronological tour through four composers’ work, they turned the journey on its head Continue reading Doric String Quartet 20th September 2016 – Review by Richard Amey, Worthing Herald