“There was something in that performance for everyone”, was how one delighted music goer commented at the end of the second concert of the Clitheroe Concerts Society 2025 – 2026 season held on Wednesday 12th November.
With a highly diverse programme spanning nearly 240 years, the Aestus Quartet’s programme sought to embrace a wide span of musical tastes. Commencing with Haydn’s Quartet in D major, ‘the Frog’, composed in 1787, to a 2024 piece by Omri Kochavia, currently pursuing his Masters in Composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. This work was originally performed for the first time by the Aestus Quartet less than 20 months ago.
A particularly challenging item in the programme played just prior to the interval was Janacek’s 1923 Kreutzer Sonata which, according to the composer, depicts a passionate psychological drama. It captures themes of human conflict and emotional outbursts in a most dramatic and turbulent manner.
Equally powerful and emotive was the performance of Beethoven’s final string Quartet No 16 in F major composed in 1826. It is probably his last major composition before his death just a year later. The sense of deep reflection was well captured by the young musicians, who first collaborated whilst students at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.
The final three 21st century pieces were lighter and dance themed works, composed by the highly renowned Danish String Quartet, drawing on both Danish and English early folk compositions.
From the left: Leda Mileto, violin; Christopher Karwacinski, violin; Beth Willett, viola; and Alec Smith, cello; taken at the close of their performance.