Featuring Robert Ibell on cello, one of our city's creative giants, the Aroha String Quartet have performed regularly in Palmerston North, but this was the first time they have appeared as part of Chamber Music New Zealand's Kaleidoscope Series.

Thursday night's concert proved that this was a most deserved accolade, their beautifully chosen programme giving the quartet the opportunity to reveal their excellent sense of ensemble with some exquisite playing.

Appearing with Ibell were Haihong Liu and Blythe Press on violin, and Zhongxian Jin on viola, a group that obviously takes great joy from playing together.

Their programme reflected the members of the group, with Beethoven's String Quartet No 5, Shostakovich's first quartet and Ravel's Quartet in F paired with several short works based on Chinese songs. The combination of these works informed our listening of each successive item, ensuring that this was a very satisfying listening experience.

The Chinese songs were beautifully arranged for string quartet. These works were given gloriously expressive readings, as were all the works on the programme, drawing the listener into this magnificent evening of music and drawing to a close Chamber Music New Zealand's 2014 season.