Benyounes String Quartet

Zara Benyounes, Leader of the Benyounes String Quartet

I had heard people praise the Benyounes String Quartet highly, and certainly their concert at the Civic Hall on Saturday 1 December more than confirmed the excellence of this group.

They chose a programme in which the three pieces seemed to present a perfect contrast and balance with each other. The players sounded as one, and yet each performer took his turn to capture your attention.

This is a young ensemble that seems to play like seasoned musicians with precise intonation and a musicality which commanded continuous attention from the audience. We were privileged to be able to hear them before they become too expensive to have! Those who missed this concert for whatever reason - weather, illness, concert conflicts - surely missed a rare and outstanding performance. It would be wise to catch them when they are performing again in the area.

The Mozart Quartet in D minor was quite remarkable with the quartet’s seemingly effortless playing. This amazing facility and virtuosity, and at the same time, great musicality continued in their second offering, the unique Debussy Quartet. The variety of sound pictures was myriad, and each movement showed the quartet’s ability to create a thoroughly exciting atmosphere.

The Mendelssohn Quartet in F minor is not so well-known, but definitely should be performed more often because it is a profound and great work. This was his last quartet, written a few months before his own death, and was an expression of sorrow and agitation over the death of his dear sister Fanny. The quartet responded to the mood and the great sadness of the writing in a most moving way. It is quite obvious to all who heard this quartet that they are at the beginning of a great future in the world of musical performance.