Manchester Mid-day Concerts Society

Bridgewater Hall

Manchester Mid-day Concerts Society

Wednesday 29th February, 2012

Philip Higham (cello)  and  Sam Armstrong (piano)

Today’s lunchtime concert was given by two young musicians who know Manchester well as they both studied at the Royal Northern College of Music.

They began their recital with a spirited performance of Beethoven's Variations on theme from The Magic Flute.  Often quirky writing for both instruments gives a hint to the personality of Papageno. Gradually Beethoven shines through and the variations couldn't have been written by anyone else!

Franz Schubert's Sonata in A minor written originally for the Arpeggione, an instrument invented in the early part of the 19th century and a cross between the guitar and cello!  It didn't catch on but thankfully the sonata is still in the cellist repertoire.  It's full of lush tuneful music and our two musicians give a warm and understanding performance.  The slow movement in particular was full of lyrical beauty.

The recital ended with Gabriel Faure's Cello Sonata in D minor.  This is a work full of French colour and nostalgia.  Written at the end of the first world war it is a work redolent of rhapsody and pathos

There was warm applause from an appreciative audience for a varied and delightful programme.

For details of the next concert..Visit here

Published: 29-Feb-2012: (1162)