THE local Ardeton Ensemble made a welcome appearance for the third time at Chipping Sodbury Music Society's February concert.

The four talented string players with a passion for chamber music, Sarah Eales, Jon Cowell, Rachel Clennell and Dury Loveridge gave a varied yet substantial programme at the Town Hall.

Mendelssohn’s String Quartet no. 2, written when the composer was only 18 years old, was a homage to Beethoven who had died earlier that year. The chorale-like first movement received a high level of intensity, the slow movement was vigorously treated, the melancholy intermezzo was beautifully realised by the first violin and the fairylike scherzo proved reminiscent of a Midsummer Night’s Dream composed a year earlier. The final movement was taken at a headlong pace until its restful close.

Puccini is best known for his operas and wrote very little chamber music. His string quartet Chrysanthemums was written in a single night in 1890. This brief romantic work was a real find.

Anton Arensky’s music failed to make an impact during his short lifetime and is not well known today. Influenced by his mentor Tchaikovsky his works are melodious and well constructed and deserve much wider appreciation. An example is his String Quartet of 1895. The sombre opening showed a strong Russian flavour, the elaborate theme and variations were played with fine understanding and the fast and furious finale was despatched with great brio.

Dury Loveridge’s variations on Tchaikovsky’s Morning Prayer showed off the character of each instrument to perfection. Played with obvious affection this work did full justice to the original composition.

A humorous tango by Stravinsky proved an ideal encore to a concert hugely enjoyed by an appreciative audience.

The next concert of Chipping Sodbury Music Society’s 66th Season, in the Town Hall at 7.30 pm on 11 March 2014, will be given by Shiry Rashkovsky – viola and Alison Rhind – piano who are sponsored by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust. Rachel showcased the viola so beautifully at our last concert that we are sure you will wish to hear more!

Review by Gerry Philp – 18 February 2014