REVIEW

Concerts in the West, Bridport Arts Centre

Amy Jolly (cello) and Gemma Beeson (piano)

THERE is something very special about the sound of a cello imbuing a melody with rich tone, reaching a climax and taking the audience with it. In Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata and Rachmaninov's G minor Sonata there were many such examples.

Schubert's early romantic work for this defunct instrument places much of its material in the upper reaches of the cello's range. Amy's interpretation had just the right level of expression for the style.

Rachmaninov's full-scale romantic work in four movements requires a sustained approach in what was his first composition following a period of depression in 1901.

As one of the world's greatest piano composers, it is not surprising that the weight of technical demand falls to the piano, despite the composer's assertion that the two instruments had equal roles. Gemma, an experienced accompanist, rose to the level of a virtuoso soloist in the many challenges of the score.

Amy and Gemma have some experience as a duo and perhaps do not need to show their understanding visibly, but being part of an audience I would have welcomed a clearer demonstration of response, one to another.

In particular, they need to acquire the knack of indicating to an audience that a work has come to its conclusion. But in the third work, Janá?ek's Fairy Tale, Pohádka, the magical interplay of two folktale lovers was brought to life most effectively by our two soloists.

Concerts in the West's next event - early 18th century music by Handel, Scarlatti, Corelli and Stradella performed by Repicco and Friends, takes place at Shute, Bridport, Ilminster and Lyme Regis from May 19 to 21.

ANTHONY PITHER