The Williamsburg Symphony String Quartet consists of Irina Muresanu and Alana Carithers on violin, Kimberley Sparr on viola and Schuyler Slack on cello.

Addressing a packed St Peter’s Church in St George’s on Saturday night, Alana welcomed us to the concert and said how much they loved Bermuda and St George. The first set consisted of three 1904 compositions by Frank Bridge.

The first, Andante Moderato, was a languid, late romantic piece which made occasional forays into the modern. It felt like a mixture of Elgar, Wolf and Richard Strauss with a slow, driving bassline.

Next a Presto allegretto with pizzicato work from all the instruments overlaid with a sweet, romantic melody. Finally, an allegro vivo with great, declamatory, Mussorgsky-like chords creating a powerful fanfare effect.

This quartet has complete technical mastery, energy, youth, soul and disciplined teamwork.

What’s more, their choice of St Peter’s was inspired. I later found out that the musicians had specifically chosen this iconic church as their venue. How right they were.

Behind them was a wall of solid cedar from floor to pulpit to ceiling which acted as a superb sound projector.

Our early Bermudian builders were audio engineers since every nuance was audible and the sound was generous, rich and warm.

Next, Mendelssohn’s String Quartet Op 12, introduced by Irina, who reminded us of Mendelssohn’s huge historical importance as re-discoverer of JS Bach and that he had written this quartet at age 20. The work has a highly emotive effect, ranging from hints of Jewish folklore through to cascading triplets to at least three false endings leading back to the opening theme.

A superb Haydn’s Quartet in D major, Op 76 No 5 finished the evening.

The quartet comes from the last years of Haydn’s life but is packed with exuberant energy and playfulness.

The Finale Presto with its hints of hunting, the chase and flight, was dizzying in its effect.