Manchester Piano Trio

CHRISTOPHER SMITH

> John Innes Centre, Norwich

With works from the Romantic era, the late 19th century and the modern period, the programme of this recital for Norfolk & Norwich Chamber Music had a very pleasing balance.

What was less satisfying was a lack of balance in the interpretations by the trio.

Richly talented, and with a strong personality, pianist Jeremy Young has fingers that are strong as well as nimble and flexible.

But as he launched into his part with all the dash and commitment of a concerto soloist, he seemed too often to long for rather more than his fair share of attention.

Adi Brett had a struggle to make her rather thin violin tone carry and there were also passages when the contribution of the neat, but not very assertive, cellist Jessica Burroughs was sometimes simply lost in the swirl of sound.

Though nearly 20 years old, the First Piano Trio by Simon Parkin still makes demands on performers and listeners alike but Dvorak's "Dumky" Trio brought us back on to firmer, more familiar ground and contrasting moods came thick and fast.