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11 July 2012
Regular visitors to New Zealand, the Takacs Quartet is always a highlight in the musical year.
As a group they define the concept of perfectly integrated ensemble, seamless and fluid their sound beautiful and full of musical detail nuance, but also individuality.
Lead violinist Edward Dusinberre introduced the Janacek Kreutzer Sonata Quartet alluding to the original Tolstoy short story, putting the composition in context. His approch was a model of the way to do this.
The quartet's performance had all the expected warmth, intensity and style in a compelling performance.
In the spiky Bartok Quartet No 2 we heard a beautiful iterpretation, the gracious Lento movement as exquisitely integrated as you could imagine, their unanimity astonishing. They represent world-changing music-making.
The lovely, more sunny Debussy String Quartet in G minor was performed with equal brilliance. The original cellist, Andras Fejer exudes warmth as does the quieter second violinist Karloy Schranz and the most recent member, violist Geraldine Walther, is a great asset.
Are they the best string quartet? In a crowded field of excellence they are about as close as you can get.