Lunchtime Recital, Wednesday 15 August

Tuckamore Festival

Young Artists Luntime Concert

“The Kirk”

Wednesday 15 August, 12.30pm

The third of these wonderful recitals featured two ensembles who play in last Saturday’s evening concert, and two duos, one of whom played solo last week, but both presented new-to-us works.

The recital opened with the piano quartet, No.1 in C minor, op.15 by Gabriel Fauré. Frédéric-Alexandre Michaud, violin, Amélie Roberts, viola, Connor Cornick, ‘cello, and Stephen Eckert, piano, presented the second movement of this work. Ihave already remarked on the professional of this group, and today’s performance consolidated that evaluation. I suspect that a combination of practice time spent together and the opportunity to perform for an audience have contributed to the continuing higher level of execution. Whatever the cause, they present superb ensemble work, with constant communication – an eye glance, a nod of the head – contributing to teir success.

The second performance was by the duo of Martin Roberts, ‘cello, and Patrick Cashin piano. Their chosen work was Rachmaninoff’s sonata in G minor for ‘cello and piano, in which each instrument has the opportunity for dominance, alternating with tightly structured counterpoint. Again, the high level of performance made their presentation so enjoyable on what was, for me, a first hearing of this chamber work by Rachmaninoff.

The third element of the recital was presented by Amélie Roberts, viola, and Patrick Cashin, piano. The sonata for viola and piano was composed by Rebecca Clarke, an English composer of whom I had heard nothing before today’s recital. The composer was herself a noted viola player, but this is, as far as I know, her only sonata for that that instrument. Ms Roberts chose the Impetuoso movement, which gave ample opportunity to display her striking technique and beautiful tone. Her instrument is not one of the larger orchestral ones, but in Ms. Roberts’ hands it matched the piano’s tonality. Ièll have to look for more of Rachel Clarke’s works.

The final work on the recital was Schubert’s Piano trio No. 1 in B flat Major, D.898. The trio of Joella Pinto, violin, Martin Roberts, ‘cello, and Mado Christie, piano, performed the Allegro moderato movement last Saturday, and continued their exploration of this work with the Andante un poco mosso. This trio displays remarkable maturity in their playing, especially in their control in pianissimo passages, where involuntary tremulo can creep in. Individual voices shine through when required, but in ensemble passages, throughout their wide dynamic range, tonality was exquisitely matched.

How I wish that more could enjoy the performance these Young Artists present! But it’s not too late: They perform in Brigus on Saturday afternoon, and of course the Festival Finale on Sunday evening.