Centre stage: Mendelssohn String Octet: CBSO Centre, Birmingham, 26 April 2024.

4✩✩✩✩ Review: David Gray & Paul Gray.

“An energetic and convincing reading of Mendelssohn’s youthful masterwork.”

Franz Schubert – String Trio No 1 in B-flat major

Felix Mendelssohn – String Octet in E-flat major

Leader of the CBSO, Eugene Tzikindelean introduced the first item in this short afternoon concert: Schubert’s String Trio No. 1 in B-flat major, as, he said “an appetiser to the main meal that is Mendelssohn’s String Octet”.

An apt description. The Schubert is a lighter work; elegant and really quite delicate in parts, with a texture that lets the light shine through. It was given a suitably playful performance with crisp playing from the outer voices and more muted, less outgoing playing from the viola. Some of the attack could have been more unanimous.

Against this, the dense textures and complex counterpoint of the Mendelssohn could not have come as more of a contrast. A muscular opening - with Tzikindelean’s rich polished tone taking the lead - introduced a shapely reading of the first movement that made sense of the extended sonata form.

This was true collegiate playing which displayed a real feeling of shared intention and uniformity of insight. Dynamic contrasts could perhaps have been stronger, and some important lines held by the inner parts could have been brought more to the forefront. But unflagging drive kept energy and momentum levels high throughout.

In the inner movements Mendelssohn gives the music room to breathe. The ensemble made the most of these glorious moments of stillness, again, without losing energy, and maintaining the impression of moving forward. The Andante was highly atmospheric. The scherzo was delivered with filigree lightness of touch and detailed colouration.

The final Presto is a virtuosic showcase which gives all parts a chance to shine, and all players took advantage of the opportunity, bringing the work to a thrilling conclusion.

Eugene Tzikindelean – Violin

Charlotte Skinner – Violin

Bethan Allmand – Violin

Nate Bomans – Violin

Chris Yates – Viola

Catherine Bower – Viola

Eduardo Vassallo – Cello

Miguel Fernandes - Cello