Concert review: Pavel Haas Quartet

 The Pavel Haas Quartet was firmly on home ground in this Sunday morning concert, with works by Smetana and Janáček. There was powerful rhetoric from violist Šimon Truszka at the opening of Smetana’s E minor First Quartet ‘From my life’, before giving way to the melting E major theme, floating and delicate, drawing the listeners in. The development was compulsive, with a thrilling drive to the climax. The second-movement Allegro moderato alla polka was a joyous, energetic dance, with splendid (if not quite immaculate) quasi tromba playing from Truszka and second violinist Marek Zwiebel, and leader Veronika Jarušková sang sweetly in the meno mosso section. Cellist Peter Jarušek’s rich and expressive opening solo in the Largo sostenuto was answered by gentle, delicate playing that built to a hot-blooded emotional climax. The final Vivace was rambunctious, with touches of rubato in some of the dances.

Janáček’s Second Quartet ‘Intimate Letters’ is also autobiographical, based on correspondence to Kamila Stösslová, the woman he loved. There was theatrical colour and a powerful sense of narrative in the opening Andante. After eloquent playing at the start of the Adagio the musicians were ferocious in the 5/8 dance, and the opening of the Moderato was plaintive and understated, with thrilling, full-bodied playing to come. Parts of the final Allegro were positively smoochy before the restless conclusion.

TIM HOMFRAY