A magnificent debut disc of string works

First violinist Sara Bitlloch guides the Elias Quartet to excellence on this glorious disc of Mozart and friends

Composer: Schubert, Mozart & Mendelssohn
Repertoire: String Quartets
Artists: Elias String Quartet
Rating:  5/5
Genre: Chamber
Label: Wigmore Hall Live WHLive 0028

In even the most distinguished string quartets the interpretative heart-beat and soundworld is dictated by the first violin, and in this case the Elias Quartet has a treasurable talent in Sara Bitlloch who, with her gifted companions, lives through these scores with an emotional imperativeness and sense of wonder that is utterly captivating. Not since the Melos Quartet’s classic 1970s account has the poignant emotional interplay of Mendelssohn’s E minor String Quartet been so eloquently voiced. Here and throughout Schubert’s Quartettsatz and Mozart’s ‘Dissonance’ String Quartet each phrase pulsates with an inner life that is deeply affecting.