A HIGHLY polished performance by the Maggini Quartet concluded a very successful 102nd season by Malvern Concert Club.

A jaunty solo phrase by the cello, repeated by the violin, began Haydn's Quartet in G, Op.76 No.1. This was followed by vigorous exchanges between the four musicians - Laurence Jackson and David Angel (violin), Martin Outram (viola) and Michal Kaznowski (cello).

The beautifully harmonised melody in the Adagio sostenuto was played with well-controlled, sustained legato and the musicians were in total agreement in the closing dance-like Allegro ma non troppo.

Rawsthorne Quartet No.3 was a challenging but appropriate inclusion, as the composer's centenary occurs this week.

The Allegro deciso started off with spiky bowing, then the viola led the way through haunting wanderings, soon to be joined by violins in duet. Interesting textures and tones were developed, until the cello emerged in melody. Through much of the Andante, the instrumentalists played individual melodies entwining around one another polyphonically, until a final turbulent outburst. The Maggini brought this work off very impressively.

Schubert's Quartet in G, D887 was a lovely tuneful piece to end on. The cello sang through the first Allegro molto moderato with the others fluttering at first, but eager to join in melodious song. Pianissimo playing was superb among dynamics of a wide range in this precise delivery. For the Andante un poco moto, the cello was given a glorious melodic line again. The musicians flurried continuously through the Scherzo, and skipped along in very cheerful mood through the final rondo Allegro assai crescendoing, only to end on a delicate final cadence.

JILL HOPKINS