UNIVERSALLY admired, the music of Mozart and Dvorak never fails to delight the receptive ear. For this BCMS concert, the Rivoli String Quartet selected a “hotter” filling for their “bread and butter” sandwich.

Schulhoff’s music embraces much of the early 20th century musical idioms including jazz, with influences from composers such as Bartok and Schoenberg. His Quartet No.1 opens in agitated manner with heated unison chords and turns, in the second movement, to eerily muted effects. A Slovakian folk theme powers the Allegro’s rhythmic energy and the finale engenders melancholic reflection with the cello emulating a ‘ticking clock’.

The Rivoli’s fervent advocacy was warmly received.

The Quartet, comprising Amelia Jones and Helen Tonge, violins, Amy Wein, viola and Helen Downham, cello, provided ravishing musicianship in Mozart’s Quartet in E flat major, K428. A lovely entry followed by pleasing mellifluous interplay set the mood. Each movement emerged with pin sharp instrumental clarity, finely judged nuancing and all the required vigour.

The tunefulness of Dvorak’s Quartet in F op.96 (American) has made it a top choice and here the Rivoli’s enticing lyricism and sensitive playing brought out the generous bonhomie, nostalgia and naturally spirited evocation of the composer’s homeland with supple melodic brio.