This Coffee Concert in the delightful surroundings of the Assembly Room of King's Lynn Town Hall was given by piano duo Philip Moore and Simon Crawford-Phillips – four hands on one piano.

By DAVID JOHNSON

Wednesday's Coffee Concert in the delightful surroundings of the Assembly Room of King's Lynn Town Hall was given by piano duo Philip Moore and Simon Crawford-Phillips – four hands on one piano.

Opening with Sonata in C major, one of two written by Mozart for piano, the duo immediately displayed their technical ability and clarity of playing evident in the conversation between the parts in the lively allegro, gentle dancing rhythm of the andante to the rondo of the allegretto finale.

Like Mozart, Schubert was to die at an early age and although a prolific composer was never to hear any of his orchestral works played.

His grand rondo in A major written towards the end of his life showed him at his most melodically poignant, qualities that were brought out in the performance.

Children linked the items in the second half of the programme Fauré's Dolly Suite from which we heard Berceuse (bringing back memories of Listen with Mother)

Le Pas Espagnol was followed by three movements from Stravinsky's Petrushka.

Here we were to hear a tremendous bravura performance in the technically demanding pieces as the artists brought out almost orchestral sounds combined with musical fireworks.

Such was the response of the virtual capacity audience that after repeated calls the duo returned to give an encore with Beauty and the Beast from Ravel's Mother Goose Suite.

I can do not better than to repeat a quotation from Musical Opinion: “The piano team of Philip Moore and Simon Crawford-Phillips could hardly have been bettered. Here was duo playing of incomparable excellence.”

I'm sure that the audience would heartily concur.