CHIPPING Sodbury Music Society's November concert was devoted to two major chamber works: Brahms’ String Sextet No 1 and Schubert’s String Quintet.

The works were played by Emergence, who are made up of some of London’s most exciting young chamber musicians: Michael Trainor and Chris Jensen - violins, David Wigram and Annie Beilby - violas, Jessie Ann Richardson and Reinoud Ford - cellos, who were greeted by a packed audience.

Brahms’ first String Sextet is an early work and is sunnier than most of his later compositions. The first movement with its striking main theme was well projected, the enchanting slow movement gave the violas a chance to shine and the infectious rhythm of the scherzo was played at a steady tempo but with the helter-skelter trio given its head. The final carefree rondo capped a fine performance of this satisfying piece.

Schubert’s String Quintet was written just two months before his untimely death. A work of great beauty it has remained one of the most popular chamber works in the repertoire. The opening allegro, poignant and turbulent in turn, was played with great concentration. The ethereal adagio seemed to make time stand still. The boisterous scherzo was well controlled and the soulful trio, which in some way reflected Schubert’s impending death, was played with searing intensity. The final allegretto, lighter in mood, provided some relief at the end of such a profound work.

The rapturous reception was well deserved. As one member of the audience remarked to me, the artists so obviously loved the works they played.

The next concert of Chipping Sodbury Music Society’s 67th Season, in the Town Hall at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 27 January 2015, will be given by Alicia Chaffey , who will perform piano works by Bach, Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin, Brahms, Ravel and Prokofiev.

Gerry Philp – 14 November 2014