The Maggini String Quartet has long been a firm favourite with Oxford audiences, and its concert at the Holywell Music Room last Sunday — given in aid of the restoration appeal – was delivered with its customary zeal and flair. Three of the four players have been performing together for over 20 years, and it showed in their rapport, which ensured musical fireworks from the outset.

Haydn’s Quartet in C, opus 20 number 2, allowed cellist Michal Kaznowski to indulge in some wonderfully articulated solo passages, in a piece that elevates the cello lines to something far greater than a mere bass accompaniment. All four players made much of the contrasts between the different moods of the piece, particularly noticeable in the second movement, with its grand, tragic statement, followed by a graceful minuet and trio, and the third movement, which is played for the most part sotto voce until a final burst of energy propels the piece to a frenzied conclusion.

In Rubbra’s Quartet No.1 in F Minor, the players explored the different textures and rhythms with conviction and insight; particularly memorable was the wonderfully executed pizzicato chords that opened the second movement, overlaid by a viola solo that was delivered with sublime intensity by Martin Outram. Vigorous bowing was needed from all four instruments for much of this piece, which the players delivered with unrelenting energy.

The same energy levels swept through the final piece, Schubert’s epic Quartet in D minor, ‘Death and the Maiden’ — written, as Schubert said, “to pave the way for the great symphony”. His symphonic ambitions are evident in this expansive and dramatic quartet, played with great passion as they moved towards an explosive finish. An insistent audience demanded an encore, and was rewarded with a beautiful Dvorak waltz.