It would be something of a struggle to recall a more joyous and thrilling occasion than the one on Saturday night when the Carducci String Quartet arrived to play for the second concert of West Wight Arts Association’s current season at Freshwater Memorial Hall.

This distinguished and long-standing ensemble opted for a programme of music written by composers in their formative years which proved a winning combination; musicians with two decades of experience of playing together approaching the music with a freshness and youthful energy which the pieces required.

Mozart’s quartet in B flat, The Hunt, opened the concert, and one was soon struck by just how much the musicians themselves were enjoying playing together, giving the 1st movement in particular a happy, light-hearted feel, and the balance of all four instruments in the Adagio movement was exquisite.

The Quartet no 13 by Mendelssohn followed, after a brief but amusing introduction by the 1st violinist, Matthew Denton.

He explained that Mendelssohn composed it aged just 18 and it was essentially a musical outpouring of unrequited love.

The resulting emotional and urgent melodies were given full flow by these four consummate musicians.

The second half of this memorable evening was devoted to the majestic Ravel String Quartet.

Here, the quartet completely immersed themselves in the sumptuous, almost decadent harmonies with breathtaking pianissimos, perfectly balanced melody sharing and an exciting build up to the thrilling finale.

An enthralling evening from start to finish.