The Schubert Ensemble, Middlesbrough Town Hall

IT WAS interesting to see the stage layout for this recital with the hall’s fine Steinway in front of the stage bringing the ensemble closer to the audience, albeit in a very much larger space than usual for chamber music.

An attractive if rather long programme began with Hummel’s Piano Quintet with its distinctive line up of piano, violin, viola, cello and double bass although, as bassist Peter Buckoke pointed out, his part was largely spent in beefing up the cello.

As you might expect in such a well established ensemble (its first concert was given in 1983), strings and piano were well balanced although at times the bass seemed hardly worthwhile.

Dvorak’s Piano Quartet No. 2, Op. 87, was much more interesting with a wealth of melodies, perhaps too many for some, but I rather enjoyed this profusion and the way Dvoa managed to fit them all in.

There were many other lovely features too with the contrasts in the first movement and a lovely effect when a gentle tremolo passed from one to another.

For Schubert’s Trout Quintet we returned to the instrumentation of Hummel’s model although Schubert made much more of it.

This was a rather gentle and mellow performance, perhaps not as spirited as it might be in the Scherzo and with the lower strings not coming through as they should.

The next chamber concert on Thursday, April 9, brings players from Royal Northern Sinfonia with wind quintets by Danzi, Holst, Barber and Reicha. Box office 01642 727729.

Peter Bevan