Richard Bratby

The miracle of watching a great string quartet perform

The Takacs Quartet delivered precision plus expression plus absolute naturalness and ease at their latest Wigmore Hall recital

Edward Dusinberre, Harumi Rhodes, Richard O’Neill and Andras Fejer: members of the Takacs Quartet, which most aficionados agree is the finest string quartet now performing anywhere in the world. Photo: Amanda Tipton

Joseph Haydn, it’s generally agreed, invented the string quartet. And having done so, he re-invented it: again and again. Take his quartet Op. 20, No. 2, of 1772 – the first item in the Takacs Quartet’s recital last week at the Wigmore Hall.

The cello propels itself forward and upward, then starts to warble like a bird on the wing.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Keep reading with a free trial

Subscribe and get your first month of online and app access for free. After that it’s just £1 a week.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

Or

Unlock more articles

REGISTER

Comments

Don't miss out

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.

Already a subscriber? Log in