CHRISTOPHER SMITH The sunshine, though welcome, threatened to eclipse the event. But the relatively sparse audience, including many old friends of the music-loving doctor in whose memory a concert is mounted annually, had ample reward.
CHRISTOPHER SMITH
The sunshine, though welcome, threatened to eclipse the event. But the relatively sparse audience, including many old friends of the music-loving doctor in whose memory a concert is mounted annually, had ample reward. In a cool, airy auditorium, two significant 19th century works were performed with skill and commitment by players whose careers all owed a debt to Michael Badminton.
First came Beethoven's Opus 1 No 3 Piano Trio. The theme and the five variations on it made the second movement particularly pleasing. Strengthened energy characterised the opening. Then came something lighter in mood, with Viennese grace and sentiment.
The Angell Trio, with Frances Angell as pianist, Jan Peter Schmolk playing the violin and Richard May on the cello, were joined by a second violinist, Simon Smith, and violist Andrew Storey for Brahms' Piano Quintet.
Generously proportioned and offering fine roles for the cellist as well as the pianist, the work took us through strong feelings. These, once again, added attractions to the emotional oasis of the second movement. After that came the thrill of insistent rhythmic repetitions and the challengingly brusque conclusions.
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