TASTING NOTES

TUESDAY 2 JUNE 2026

This was special, very special. The Loughborough Schools’ Foundation Con Brio String Quartet - James, Layan, Edward and Jacob – gave a performance of three movements of Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8 which will stay in my mind for a long time. Shostakovich composed the work while in Dresden in 1960. It was completed in a matter of days and dedicated to the city’s victims of World War Two.

Our performers had been rehearsing for some six months including additional sessions during the recent half term break. Two of the group, James and Layan, took a break from revising for their GCE A Level examinations and the result was a tour de force. I would go as far as to say that it ranks as one of the most impressive performances of any work which I have heard at a Tasting Notes recital. Technically assured, the Quartet exploited the intense emotional content of the work and left the audience in no doubt as to the message which the composer was seeking to convey.

Each player had prominent passages to play which caught the ear; there were also searing musical phrases, abrupt chords and “tutti” sections which made a riveting impact. An altogether compelling result…….

Elsewhere in the recital’s programme Jacob offered a lyrical and moving performance of the Adagio from Elgar’s Cello Concerto alongside a stately Sarabande by Bach from his Cello Suite No. 3. Edward gave a spirited rendition on the violin of “Banjo and Fiddle” by Kroll. Later, he demonstrated the scope of his musical talents by singing, from memory, “Der Vogelfänger” by Mozart from his opera “The Magic Flute” and “The Lads in their Hundreds” a touching song by Butterworth.

This recital proved a worthy climax to the season’s series. I sensed afterwards that members of the audience realised that they had heard something truly outstanding.

Tasting Notes resumes after the summer break on Tuesday 6 October 2026 at 1.30pm. Join us if you can.

Howard Jones