Jacques Loussier Trio

DAVID WAKEFIELD

> St Peter Mancroft, Norwich

Jacques Loussier made his name in the late 1950s with his jazz transcriptions of Bach and, although he has added the likes of Vivaldi, Chopin and Ravel to his repertoire since, it is for Bach that he is famous.

Thus it was no surprise to hear a concert heavily laden with the great man's works.

Starting with the Prelude in C Major, the trio moved on through the Pastorale in C Minor and, somewhat inevitably, the Air from the Orchestral Suite in D (Air on a G String) on to an outstanding performance of the Brandenburg Concerto No 5 in D Major.

The Pastorale was notable for a truly amazing solo from bassist Benoit Dunoyer de Segonzac who conjured one minute, gentle sonorous and soothing tones; the next, attacking with the flair of a flamenco guitarist.

The second half began with a lengthy exploration of Bach's Goldberg Variations before the trio switched composers to give us Erik Satie's gentle Gymnopedie No 1.

The concert ended with great flair in Bach's D Minor Concerto, the first movement of which was a vehicle for the exciting drumming of Andre Arpino.

It was music to match the majestic setting.