THE young players of the Benyounes Quartet present three captivating quartets at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, in Scarborough, on December 3, at 7.30pm.

Behind each quartet lies an intriguing sub-plot. Quartet in C by Haydn was written against the backdrop of the impending French Revolution and the sheer intensity of the writing may be a representation of the tension that seeped through European society.

Mendelssohn’s early Quartet in E flat, written on the same trip to Scotland that produced both the Hebrides Overture and the “Scottish” Symphony, is brimming with fresh ideas that include a magical ending.

Brahms’ Quartet in A minor only appeared after a troubled and tortured gestation, yet the long compositional process clearly resulted in a work of intensely personal character.

The Benyounes Quartet – Zara Benyounes and Emily Holland on violin, Tetsuumi Nagata on viola and Kim Vaughan on cello – were prize-winners at the 1st International Sandor Vegh String Quartet Competition in Budapest and are gaining a reputation as one of the most engaging, dynamic and successful young quartets to have emerged in the UK in recent years.

They have performed at the Wigmore Hall, St Martin in the Fields, LSO St Luke’s, Vienna Konzerthaus, Gstaad New Year Festival and with Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company.

Tickets, priced from £10 to £17.50, are available from the box office on 01723 370541 and at sjt.uk.com