Early summer soiree: Alexandra Dariescu

The start of the summer season and Auckland Castle is open for visits, including the annual season of concerts organised and promoted by Bishop Auckland Music Society, the latest of which was held on Friday 16th May. A short drive along the scenic route took us to a very full Throne Room in the castle for a recital by rising star Alexandra Dariescu on piano. The programme, complete with short introductions from Alexandra, was themed around the development of the prelude through the ages.

The first half of the concert started with the extremes of Bach and Shostakovich to set the tone: Bach's Prelude and Fugue in B minor (Well Tempered Clavier Book 2 No. 24) followed by a selection from Shostakovich's Preludes Op. 24 - I particularly enjoyed Nos 3 and 6 - 6 in particular a somewhat witty representation of a pub band. Subsequent to this the audience was treated to a wonderfully beautiful performance of Scarlatti's Sonata in F minor, K 466 - a soft sobbing lament; and a well-structured performance of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 6 in F, Op. 10 No. 2, maintaining an emphasis on the humour within the piece across all 3 movements.

After the interval (in which we had a quick glimpse inside the chapel of Auckland Castle - including its historic organ) Alexandra performed - and was completely engrossed in - the complete 24 Preludes Op. 28 by Chopin. A complete roller coaster of emotions, and also an opportunity to hear the lesser well known preludes as well as favourites such as the Raindrop Prelude (No. 15). An excellent performance; my only criticism is that the silences between each prelude were very short, with sometimes not enough time to absorb the preceding piece before Alexandra started the next.

On balance a fantastic evening's music - especially the Scarlatti sonata - with a beautiful sunset as well!

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