Royal Northern Sinfonia Chamber Ensemble, Middlesbrough Town Hall

ALTHOUGH the crypt here is rather a large space for intimate chamber music, every effort had been made to create a more suitable setting with a small stage in the middle of the room, the rear half screened, and seats and tables set out cabaret style with only the hum from the bar cooling system an unavoidable distraction.

The four string players from the Royal Northern Sinfonia began with a wonderfully delicate performance of Haydn’s String Quartet No. 42 in C major, Op.54, No. 2.

In the second movement Adagio, for example, second violin, viola and cello provided a soft cushion of sound with the first violin floating above which was effectively set off by the following Minuet.

Much of the final Adagio was even softer with the little Presto interlude coming as a little surprise.

Moeran’s String Trio in G major, written in 1931, was a world away from the Haydn (and a world away from us now).

I am not sure the first movement quite jelled, but the following Adagio was extremely moving with the final notes dying away ever so gently.

There was no doubt that the musicians had the measure of Debussy’s String Quartet, Op. 10.

In a work that can sometimes sound austere or clinical, here it was played with great sensitivity and understanding with each instrument carefully balanced and weighted.

In the next chamber concert on Tuesday, the Schubert Ensemble will play Hummel, Dvorak and Schubert’s Trout Quintet.; box office 01642 729729 or 815181.

Peter Bevan