PrettyInScarlett

Almost the end of term and another excellent lunchtime concert. Top violinist Madeleine Mitchell performed a recital of: Grace Williams – Violin Sonata Michael Nyman – Taking it as Read Edward Elgar – Violin Sonata The Elgar and the Williams sonatas were both energetic, intense works, with beautiful slow second movements (Elgar - based on 'wood magic'?; Williams - folk song influenced). In between we were treated to Taking it as Read , which Madeleine commissioned from the composer.   Madeleine is a world-class, award winning musician and her tone definitely showed this - overall a superb hour's music.

After a sublime Friday lunchtime concert, Saturday (16th February) got even better. The day started with the February edition of Clitheroe Piano Group, and even more than normal we had an excellent afternoon's music. Quick smart up the M6 to Kendal and a quick meal courtesy of Farmhouse Kitchen (very nice) before we headed to Kendal Leisure Centre. Lakeland Sinfonia seem to have a good set of concerts this season - I tried to book for Jess Gillham in January but sold out - and the February concert, Gabriela Montero and Scottish Ensemble, was definitely a treat. There seem to be a lot of season ticket holders as quite a lot of the audience seemed to know each other; and with a few single ticket holders like us, the hall was pretty full!  Scottish Ensemble are a 12-piece string group, and a quick look at their website shows they are interested in anything strings! Gabriela Montero is renowned for her pianism, improvisations and compositions - certainly one of the draws f...

Another new year, another hectic start! However I have found some time for concerts. The January edition of Skipton Music featured trailblazers Chiaroscuro String Quartet . The quartet perform with gut strings but that doesn't mean they're old fashioned! They generally perform standing up and certainly there is a lot of movement and vibrancy in their performances. The programme was: BEETHOVEN     String Quartet in D major Op.18, No. 3 MENDELSSOHN     String Quartet in E flat major, Op. 12 SCHUBERT     String Quartet No.14 in D minor, D810 I have a love/hate relationship with the Schubert 'Death and the Maiden' quartet (much like the Brahms piano quintet) and I have to say I wasn't expecting to enjoy it... but in fact this was the best performance of the evening.   There's another review on the Skipton Music page here .  Just as spring seems to be coming (judging by the bright blue sky outside my window), I h...