Allegri Quartet Delights!

On Tuesday 31st January 2012 I attended the Allegri Quartet concert at the UEA School of Music in Norwich. They are the UEA Ensemble in Residence and are one of the oldest chamber music ensembles in existence, going back to its foundation in 1953. With a line-up of Ofer Falk - Violin, Rafael Todes - Violin, Dorothea Vogel - Viola and Vanessa Lucas-Smith we were all in for a musical treat.

The programme consisted of String Quartet in A, Op 18, No.5 - Beethoven, String Quartet No.7, Op 108 - Shostakovich and String Quartet in A minor, Op 132 - Beethoven.

Beethoven's String Quartet No 5 is the one most directly indebted to Mozart. This piece is an example of the composer relaxing with the music having an easy going energy. Dmitri Shostakovich dedicated his Seventh Quartet to the memory of his first wife, Nina and was completed in 1960. Beethoven's Op 132 was produced in response to a commission from Prince Galitsin received in 1822.

It was a wonderful night at the UEA School of Music with a performance from the Allegri Quartet of the highest quality. With lots of power and energy they brought us the true beauty of these pieces from Beethoven and Shostakovich.