Merel Quartet - Janacek, Beethoven and Schumann in Plush

High on our agenda at Plushmusic is capturing the concerts at our spiritual home - the Music at Plush festival in Dorset. The church there is such an intimate venue that it’s hard to film there without disturbing the atmosphere, so it’s a relief when most of the feedback from the audience is one of excitement, and even appreciation - apparently people cough less when we’re there! 

The acoustic is perfect for a small string ensemble and just to prove it, the Merel Quartet gave a breathtaking performance of three string quartets there in July 2010. Janacek’s dramatic “Kreutzer Sonata” and Schumann’s inspired first stab at string quartet writing formed the first half, with Beethoven’s Op.74 Harp quartet rounding off the concert. 

Watch the rest of the clips in the Merel Quartet’s channel, and you can buy and download the whole concert there too. If you do, watch out for the huge spider in the slow movement of Schumann - one of the perils of church concerts!