Instrument: Piano Quartet

Garth Newel's “Classic Masterpieces” weekend concludes with masterful Mozart, remarkable Ravel and a Héritte-Viardot number that's a hoot-and-a-half.

Consequential compositions by Amy Beach and Antonin Dvořák are given convincing performances at Garth Newel's Summer Chamber Music Festival.

The Garth Newel Piano Quartet presented a "French Feast" of delectable chamber works by Ravel, Chausson and Florent Schmitt that was a gastronomical as well as musical triumph.

Technical proficiency and brilliant clarity prevailed in the Stratos Quartett's recital, without ever feeling staid or over-cautious. 

Pairing together Schubert and Messiaen at first glance may appear slightly far-fetched. However, there are more similarities between the two composers, and indeed the two pieces in this evening’s program, than one might at first realise. Schubert and Messiaen were in many ways both experimental composers, especially the latter.