Lunchtime Chamber Music Concert at St Wilfrid’s Church, Haywards Heath, review, April 6
Tony Donovan (clarinet) and Andrew Storey (piano) caught the English summer’s afternoon relaxed yet vigorous mood of William Hurlstone’s nimble Four Characteristic Pieces – not unlike early Elgar. No wonder Stanford rated this student’s sadly short-lived talent above that of his others, such as Bridge and Ireland.
Next, 18-year-old Edward Storey (violin), joining his father, demonstrated his effective building on grade 8 success. He conveyed confidently the bittersweet beauty of Suk’s subtle variations and key changes on a wistful Czech folk melody, as Un Poco Triste’s charming echoes of Suk’s father-in-law Dvořák were made apparent by the Storey duo.
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Hide AdGuarnieri, almost as celebrated as his fellow Brazilian contemporary Villa Lobos – but too modest to use his first name, Mozart – weaved Latin American melodies and rhythms into his youthful Canção Sertaneja. Andrew communicated the combination of power and tranquillity in that slow dance, ending in a soft keyboard ripple – the Amazon’s wavelets kissing its sun-beaten banks.
Enter Ethan to join Andrew, bringing the smooth, warm, unhurried tones of his cello. A limpid arrangement of Vaughan Williams’ take on Greensleeves, leading into Granados’ contemplative Madrigal, were book-ended by Tartini’s gentle baroque Lento Mèsto and the cascading scales and see-saw musical debate between the instruments in Christopher Bunting’s Dance Caprice.
Finally, Ethan’s double bass. The audience, captivated by unshowy artistry throughout a well balanced chamber programme, braved again the April chill with the all-too-brief stately dance rhythm of Michael Rose’s Ballade No. 1 resonating in their musical memories.
Dame Patricia Routledge and Piers Lane: Admission One Shilling, review. Click here to read more.