Elias Quartet, June 7

SWAPPING Carnegie Hall for Devizes Town Hall, the Elias Quartet also had to swap their regular viola player with a last-minute replacement, calling on veteran Robin Ireland, formerly of the legendary Lindsay Quartet.

One would never have known from listening to their breathtaking performance. French sisters Sara and Marie Bittloch on lead violin and cello respectively, and Donald Grant, from the Scottish Highlands, have been playing as the Elias from their days at the Royal Northern College of Music, almost 20 years ago, and the chemistry they generate was clear for all to see.

In the first half, they played contrasting works from Ravel and Shostakovich, with the troubled Soviet Union icon in particular challenging some of the audience with his dark melancholy.

However, all had to admire the exquisite execution of both pieces, with the famous pizzicato opening to the second movement from Ravel’s masterpiece standing out for its crisp delicacy.

After the interval, the Elias showed the full extent of their range in the huge, feisty first String Quartet from Smetana, the father of Czech music. Throughout, Sara Bittloch in particular led with a sweetness of tone and elasticity of expression that was a delight to hear.

Vince McNamara