The association of the Oxford University Faculty of Music with the Radcliffe Trust resulted in the recent formation of the Radcliffe Residency. This post will entail the close association of a string quartet with the faculty, the chosen ensemble working closely with both student composers and performers over the next two years. For the selection, each quartet performed a 30-minute programme, which was followed with a practical demonstration of their abilities by coaching student chamber groups in the first movement of Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in D minor.
All four quartets performed repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary, thus illustrating their adaptability and suitability to work with student composers. Given that all quartets are renowned upon the British chamber music scene, the assured performances were to be expected. The prominence of cello within the Finzi quartet suited an explosive and rich rendition of two movements from Ravel’s quartet. Their suitability to contemporary works was exemplified with their eerie and tense Adès, with the group’s gradual intensification particularly effective.
A personal highlight of the concert was undoubtedly the Piatti quartet’s dynamic and engaging performances, with equally convincing interpretations of works including Smetana, Haydn and the contemporary Armenian composer, Artur Akshelyan. The strong bond between the group’s members was apparent not only when playing but also during the coaching section of the process, where each member contributed to a strong artistic vision to extend the student chamber ensemble’s work. The Benyounes Quartet brought a real presence to the second movement of Bartok’s String quartet number 2. Although the movement by Brahms sometimes lacked a degree of intensity, they brought a light and refined tone to their account of Haydn. The afternoon was concluded by the Cavaleri Quartet, with thoughtful realisations of Schnittke and Webern. Despite the drama brought to these works, it was their rich and thoughtful Haydn which particularly stood out. Yet it was in the coaching that the true suitability of the groups for the Residency became clear. A couple of the groups unfortunately neglected the pianist of the trio to focus on the violin and cello, but all the quartets made an audible impression upon the interpretations of their student ensemble.
The afternoon passed very quickly, such was the standard of the performers. Whichever quartet will be announced certainly holds exciting possibilities for the Faculty of Music throughout the two years of the Residency.
