Intensity, virtuosity and life-affirming energy from the Pavel Haas Quartet's all-Czech evening

The Pavel Haas Quartet
© The Wigmore Hall Trust, 2024

Pavel Haas Quartet

Veronika Jarůšková (violin)

Marek Zwiebel (violin)

Šimon Truszka (viola)

Peter Jarůšek (cello)

 

7.30pm, Monday 12 February 2024

Wigmore Hall, London

★★★★

 

Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959): String Quartet No. 3

 

Vitězslava Kaprálová (1915-1940): String Quartet No. 1, Op. 8

 

Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904): String Quartet in C major, Op. 61

The Pavel Haas Quartet
© The Wigmore Hall Trust, 2024

'Now in their 22nd year, the Pavel Haas Quartet continue to impress with their sheer dedication and virtuosic intensity, and tonight was no exception'.

Martinů:
'Truszka gave a richly sensuous tone to the slow movement’s bluesy solo, as well as driving the setup for the finale’s dance'.

Kaprálová:
'... after a tender conclusion to the slow movement, the finale danced away, building to a joyful climax, the Haas players proving powerful advocates for this strikingly individual quartet'.

Dvořák:
'The players’ flowing momentum, with some especially poised birdlike calls from Jarůšková, and their sheer enjoyment in the rousing lead into the recapitulation communicated perfect elegance and style, before subsiding into its quiet final chords'.

'The Pavel Haas Quartet performed throughout with such ease of command, never overstated yet full of life and commitment, making for a joyous celebration of these three fine works'.

Read my full review on Bachtrack here.