Just after their Folkestone Festival and an appearance on Radio 3’s In Tune, the Sacconi Quartet (Ben Hancox and Hannah Dawson, violins; Robin Ashwell, viola; Cara Berridge, cello), came to Devizes for the first time – well not quite for the first time – Ben introduced the quartet by saying that Robin had his wedding reception in the Town Hall!

They opened Thursday's performance with a polished Haydn quartet.

It was noticeable that they played with a mutual understanding and synchronisation , that seemed at times like telepathy, and a great physical movement – always to me a good sign.

Next, a rare event for the festival, a live composer Paul Patterson introduced his own work, commissioned specially for the Sacconi.

Dances for Thaxted took us on a world trip (America, Australia, the Middle East, Italy, UK) of genres, moods and colours, that exemplified the quartet’s versatility.

At times it was ‘spot the reference and musical joke’. I particularly loved the variations on Waltzing Matilda, and I expect that most Australians would too.

Finally another contrast, Beethovan’s String Quartet in A Minor, brilliantly executed, one commentator said ‘sublime’.

Beethoven never ceases to amaze, uplift and revitalize and the Sacconis did not disappoint.

The CDs that they brought along sold out. Enough said.

GED FITZGIBBON