20th-century English quintets at Cadogan Hall: sensitivity and orchestral scale

Mark Bebbington & RPO Principals
© Jenny Robinson

Mark Bebbington (piano)
Principals of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Tamás András (violin)
Andrew Storey (violin)
Abigail Fenna (viola)
Jonathan Ayling (cello)
Benjamin Cunningham (double bass)

3.30pm, Sunday 24 March 2024
Cadogan Hall, London

★★★★
 
John Ireland (1879-1962): Phantasie Trio in A minor
 
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958): Piano Quintet in C minor
 
Edward Elgar (1857-1934): Quintet in Q minor for Piano and String Quartet, Op. 84

Ireland: 

'Jonathan Ayling’s opening lyrical cello melody was supported by gentle rippling from Bebbington, and violinist Tamás András responded with quiet delicacy'.

Vaughan Williams:

'The strings delivered warmth, with Bebbington soft-toned and sensitive throughout'.

'The free variations of the expansive finale gave all opportunities for fuller expression, and the string response to an emphatic statement from Bebbington midway was orchestral in magnitude'.

Elgar:

'The players followed András’ lead, with great swagger and bounce'.

'... with full-blooded passion from today’s players throughout'.

Read my full review on Bachtrack here.