FRANK CLIFF Cellist Alexander Baillie and pianist James Lisney proved their talentss in a demanding programme of all Russian music.

FRANK CLIFF

Alexander Baillie draws the most eloquent sound from the cello and has a musical presence which makes every performance riveting.

Pianist James Lisney is not only an accompanist of great sensitivity, but in a demanding programme of all Russian music, proved to be a performer of equal stature.

Three of four short pieces by Tchaikovsky were of music originally written for piano, the fourth, the composer's own arrangement of his Caprice for cello and orchestra. More spectacular than the others, the superb playing drew spontaneous applause although it was not the final piece of the suite.

An authoritative reading of Shostakovitch's cello sonata of 1934 provided a fine contrast.

Finally, came Rachmaninov's G minor cello sonata in which the writing occasionally seemed more like a sonata for piano and cello – a grand finale to a great recital.

t Alexander Baillie and James Lisney were performing at the John Innes Centre, Colney, Norwich.