By Helen Hammond

The recent Tedesca String Quartet at The Courtyard offered a rich and varied programme, from sparkling Haydn and lyrical Mendlessohn to the Dvorak after the interval, which they imbued with exhilarating rhythmic and dynamic vigour. The playing was spacious, the ensemble superb and full of thoughtful attention to detail, surprises and a wide range of expression, delivered with sumptuous sounds, whether supremely delicate or committedly full-bodied. The attentiveness of the audience was notable, offering some magical stillness between movements and helping create a thoroughly enjoyable evening.