Monday, August 8, 2022
Battersea Arts Centre, London
Piano Trio in B-flat, K502
Piano Quartet in E-flat, K493
Both works already recorded by this team, http://www.colinscolumn.com/leif-ove-andsnes-mahler-chamber-orchestra-record-mozart-momentum-1786-for-sony-classical/, the Trio’s lively first movement made for cheery listening, the second for intimacy if a little melancholy, although the Finale is perhaps not so inspired despite the keen rapport of these musicians; delightful playing touched by friendship, add to which Joel Hunter for the consistently greater piece that is K493. One can only admire the panache and sensitivity of the rendition, the naturalness of the four-way interaction, so stylish and blemish-free, while wondering (with ingratitude) if it went far enough. The encore was also Mozart, the slow movement of the G-minor Quartet K478, depth of expression revealed and performed without any need to digress.