The Occasions Quartet: Janet Masters and Susan Burnard (violins), Malcolm Henderson (viola) and Corinne Frost (cello), all long serving members of the ESO, were in fine form for this concert, as part of the celebrations of the orchestra's 21st Anniversary.

Beginning with Haydn's String Quartet Op 77, No 1, the musicians produced a confident attacking style to launch the Allegro moderato, the cellist projecting succinctly into the lively playing of the other three. The thoughtfully interpreted Adagio was much more restrained as it developed from suavely intoned unison phrases.

Ferdinand the Bull was an amusing tale narrated by Malcolm Henderson, concerning an unusual Spanish bull who 'just wanted to look at the flowers' rather than be part of a bull fight. Janet Masters personified the various events and characters through her violin expertise. Apart from adding imaginative interest to the narration she demonstrated how skilful an exponent she is of her instrument.

Dvorak's String Quartet No 12 'The American' was a consummate interpretation of close understanding between the four players, which lifted their performance to a higher stratum. As the Allegro ma non troppo began, the velvet tones of Henderson's viola permeated in glorious melody. The lush instrumental texture which ensued was the result of excellent rapport among the quartet.

The Lento was sublime. Once again the viola led the way in exquisite song, but soon a tension was created as the two violins, then the cellist and first violin were in impassioned conversation. This was a marvellously sensitive and expressive reading, which ended as the cellist made it's melancholy comment.

The remaining movements Molto vivace and Vivace ma non troppo were more upbeat, and a most pleasurable concert concluded in cheerful mood. Jill Hopkins