An ensemble of more than 40 years standing, the Takács Quartet has impressive credentials, winning many awards, receiving the highest critical accolades, and enthralling audiences world-wide.

Their performance lived up to all of that and held an awed audience in the palms of their hands throughout. Even the breaks between movements were hushed, such was the aura.

Their playing is so nuanced and their interaction so subtle, the listener is inspired to concentrate quite closely so as not to miss a single note, an expression change or a lead exchange. Never once does one instrument dominate the others. But the lead will move around so seamlessly it takes the listener by surprise. Every corner in their playing reveals a new joy, a new discovery.

The works by Haydn, his Op 77 No 2 from 1799, and Beethoven, his Op 127 from 1825, were amongst their last. But being 26 years apart they presented quite contrasting styles – Haydn’s stateliness and Beethoven’s brashness.

The Takács Quartet was uncanny in its ability to embrace the contrasts and deliver what surely would have impressed the composers for their authenticity. First violinist, Edward Dusinberre, in introducing Carl Vine’s work, said that at least they can talk to Carl Vine to learn about his performance expectations of the piece.

The quartet is giving Carl Vine’s 6th string quartet, subtitled “Child’s Play”, its world premiere concert tour.

“Child’s Play” is in five movements, all dealing with children’s innocence, their sense of fun, and ignorance of risk. The first, “Play”, starts tentatively, just as children do when they begin a new game. As their confidence grows so does the music, getting faster and louder as it goes along. Then comes “Concentration”. Imagine a child listening to a story; nothing gets in the way. It is very subtle with lots of bits easy to miss without careful listening.

The third movement “Friendship” is unbridled, innocent fun, with no prejudices. Then comes “Sleep”, evoking children’s ability to sleep deeply without interruption. Finally, “Running” is just as the title suggest: carefree and unstoppable.

“Child’s Play” put playful freedom between the stately and the brash, and the Takács Quartet delivered on all three moods with great style, giving its audience a rare experience. Superb.