THE Piatti String Quartet gave the opening concert of the Bude Music Society’s 71st season in St Martin’s Church to a large enthusiastic audience.

The quartet, all young professional soloists in their own right, has won many prestigious awards. Playing on early instruments, they gave a superb recital in a demanding programme with textures ’as clear as a bell’.

The concert opened with Haydn’s ’Bird’ quartet, so called because of the numerous ’Bird calls’ which were shaped with real delicacy as they passed from player to player, matched by sensitive balance and such lovely phrasing.

The finale was a real Presto with exciting playing from all the players leading to a wonderfully controlled pianissimo ending.

Ravel’s wonderful Quartet was brilliantly played with wonderful interchanges between the performers and such sensitive dynamics and phrasings, making ’light’ of the many complex rhythms and changes of tempi. Particularly memorable were the thrilling pizzicatos, the ’tremulo’ bowings and range of both tone and dynamics.

The Brahms C minor quartet, ’symphonic’ in scale and design, concluded this exciting programme.

Again the Piatti Quartet rose to the challenge with each player contributing with real passion, musical energy and insight. The complex rhythmical changes, control of dynamics and balance were enthralling and memorable throughout.

The delicate shading in the third movement contrasted with the dramatic opening of the ’finale’ where motifs passed from player to player with complete command.

A spokesperson said: “How thrilling it was to hear these major works in ’live’ performance. Thank you Bude Music Society for giving us this special opportunity to hear these talented young artists in Bude.”