SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL

 Debussy: String Quartet in G minor, op.10 (1893)

 Ravel: String Quartet in F (1902/1903)

In those long ago days of the 12” LP record, the Debussy and Ravel Quartets were almost inseparable. It’s easy to understand why: both were written by young men - Debussy was 31 and Ravel 28; both are virile, youthful, works; both are by Frenchmen and the Ravel is based on the Debussy. Welcome bedfellows they may have been on LP, but over the years I have never encountered a concert which included both works. On reflection this seems incredible, but after hearing this lunchtime’s show I fully understand why this is the case, for to hear one after the other is an emotionally draining experience – especially when the performances are as good as those of the Pavel Haas Quartet.

I was very impressed with today’s performances for the Quartet displayed an understanding of this music which I had not encountered before. Although, in many respects, neither work is typical of its composer, what I heard was two works by composers on the very brink of their musical breakthroughs – Debussy was about to start work on the Nocturnes and the following year he would unleash the passion of l'après-midi d'un faune while Ravel was between Jeux d’eau and the Introduction and Allegro and Miroirs.

The Pavel Haas Quartet played both works with an inspired intensity, never letting the musical argument rest, and even in the chaste perfection of the slow movement of Debussy’s work there was an urgency to their reading. And there was also a suavity to these performances, the members of the Quartet understanding that less is more and that there was never any need for the collective voice to be raised except in special circumstances. They understood the importance of a perfect pianissimo and this made their performances have a special intimacy, as if it was given just for you, personally. When the collective voice was raised, temperatures soared and the finale of the Ravel was roof-raising in its power and strength. Perfection doesn’t come our way all that often, but when it does it’s not forgotten. We had that today.

This recital will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Thursday 11 February next year and it will be well worth hearing.

Bob Briggs