Bond on Bond

Whatever their critics have levelled at them, sparking the great debate as to whether they should be top of the classical charts or not, these four girls engaged warmly with their audience and played their hearts out.

It may be another contrived act, four Vanessa Maes for the price of one, but the impact and thrilling sounds that filled the Concert Hall were astounding. The girls are all graduates from London music schools.

I'm not too sure as to where the name Bond sprang from but the four talented players have certainly shaken and stirred the music world.

Recognising hits from their debut album Born and getting wrapped up in new compositions - the atmospheric Oceanic was especially haunting - I was impressed with the girls' modest delivery.

"Are you having fun? We are!" Tania Davis called to the audience. Having kicked off her shoes she was really having a good time.

The girls, all dressed as if going clubbing in Croydon after the show, treated their instruments like fashion accessories, yet produced such quality against a relentless, throbbing, up-tempo rock beat.

These pieces I liked best but I must admit that after a while the music got a bit samey'.

Their James Bond theme music repertoire was brilliant and their energy was unflagging. Dancing and jigging about the stage, they were a breath of fresh air.

These Bond girls; Haylie Ecker on first violin; Eos playing second violin; Gay-Yee Westerhoff on cello and Davis on viola are young talented, creative, attractive, and sexy - and as if that isn't enough they all seem to be very nice girls.

For the many young musicians in the audience they were an inspiration there must surely be a rush for violin lessons now.

Bond's string quartet can do for classical music what Jamie Oliver has done for cooking they've made it interesting and entertaining.

December 3, 2001 13:00