Primrose Piano Quartet with double bassist Leon Bosch, Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

THE last concert of Keswick Music Society’s season was given by the Primrose Piano Quartet, a fine ensemble formed in Glasgow in 2004, and named after violist William Primrose.

Susanne Stanzeleit (violin), Dorothea Vogle (viola), Andrew Fuller (cello) and John Thwaites (piano) displayed their considerable musical abilities from the start of a most rewarding concert. Schumann’s Piano Quartet has often been needlessly overshadowed by his more popular Piano Quintet so it was good to hear this committed performance by musicians who clearly engaged with its mixture of Romantic and Classical qualities. Much of the enjoyment of this piece was due to the excellent balance between the piano and the strings. John Thwaites managed it well and was never in danger of overpowering the strings.

Next, something completely different entertained and delighted the audience - Giovanni Bottesini’s Gran Duo Concertante for double bass, violin, and piano, a pot-pourri of pseudo Italian operatic arias and dramatic gestures. Virtuoso bassist Leon Bosch joined Susanne Stanzeleit and John Thwaites to despatch this musical diversion with total aplomb, performing feats of agility up and down the fingerboard that most of the audience had never experienced. Susanne Stanzeleit was equally impressive with an easy virtuosity that ensured the audience could enjoy an outlandish and fun piece.

Finally, all five players combined in Schubert’s Trout Quintet, full of his most infectious melodies and harmonic felicities where the double bass makes a special contribution. Every movement had its highlights in this happy performance. Schubert’s delicate piano writing in the first movement was captivating; the viola and cello harmonised melody in the Andante bewitched; the fire from everyone brought the Scherzo to life; the variations enabled each player to shine and the finale brought energy back for a barnstorming finish.

John Upson