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 Russell Gilbert
and Fiona Fawssett
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The 70th season of
concerts at
Haywards Heath Music Society got off to a memorable start with a
rousing speech by the President, international tenor Neil Jenkins, at
St Wilfrid's Church last Saturday. Neil said it was an honour for him
to be president of a society which was formed in the dark years of WW2
and has continued ever since to bring professional music to the area.
Many young musicians who have played at the society have gone on to
become famous names in the world of music. Neil said how much he had
valued the opportunities given to him by Music Societies in the past.
After the cutting of the celebration birthday cake there were cupcakes
for all the audience to mark this very special occasion.
To begin this landmark series of concerts, two well known local musicians, Russell Gilbert (violin) and Fiona Fawssett (piano), treated the audience to an evening of virtuoso playing. Russell has played with most of the top London orchestras and is currently with the RPO and Fiona's career has included Wigmore Hall recitals and concerts in many London and Sussex venues. It was Fiona's godmother Gertrude Lampson who started the society in 1941. The first half was devoted to the beautiful music of Dvorak - wonderful melodies both pastoral and energetiic which evoked the Czech countryside and dances. Spirited, sensitive playing from both artists delighted the audience. The second half, after an inspiring account of Brahms' 1st violin sonata, was devoted to spectacular virtuoso works. Russell gave us dazzling displays of some of the most difficult works in the violin repertoire. He and Fiona played with totally assured technique producing breathtaking performances which were greatly appreciated by the audience. Christine
Colbourne
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Joo Cho and Marino Nahon
The audience in St Wilfrid’s Church for the Haywards Heath Music Society’s concert on Sat 22nd Oct were treated to an amazing display of vocal talent by the prize-winning South Korean soprano, Joo Cho. In a varied and challenging programme, she displayed a range of technical and emotional skills which brought out the musical essence of each of the pieces. The performances were enhanced by superb accompaniment from pianist Marino Nahon, whose skillful and nuanced playing captured the feeling of the songs to perfection. The music they performed encompassed the changing styles of German lieder from Mozart to Alban Berg, by way of Schumann, Wolf and Strauss, with an exploration for each composer of a diverse set of topics and emotions. The performers were able to put over each of the songs in an utterly convincing fashion, despite this requiring approaches ranging from light-hearted characterisation, as in Mozart’s “The Old Woman” and Wolf’s “Elfin Song” to deeply passionate romanticism, for example in the Berg songs, particularly “Summer Days”. Perhaps most impressive was their rendition of Schumann’s song-cycle “Frauenlieben und -leben”, in which they were able to depict the wide-eyed innocence and incredulity of new-found love, the happiness and contentment of marriage and the heart-wrenching pain of separation by death. These were performances to savour and remember.
Jeffrey Harris
  Cara Berridge and Elizabeth Burgess |
A large audience gathered at St
Wilfrid's
Church on Saturday November 12th to hear two top professional artists,
Cara Berridge and Elizabeth Burgess, who gave an outstanding recital of
works for 'cello and piano. The sublime sounds of the opening bars of
Schumann's Adagio and Allegro developed into a tender, loving
conversation between 'cello and piano and set the tone for the whole
evening.
The programme consisted of works from the Romantic era. Beethoven's sonata in C Major was played with authority and sensitivity, perfectly capturing the contrasting moods of the piece. In Bloch's "From Jewish Life" we heard haunting, poignant and intensely beautiful music played with total commitment, making for a very moving experience on Remembrance weekend. The concert ended with Rachmaninov's Sonata for 'Cello and Piano in G minor. This is dramatic and passionate music full of the most glorious melodies, some of which were reminiscent of the famous movement from the 2nd piano concerto written in the same year and subsequently used in the film "Brief Encounter". The exquisite sound Cara produced on her 'cello and the wonderful range of colours from Elizabeth's piano playing coupled with the excellent acoustics at St Wilfrid's made this an unforgettable concert. This is certainly a duo to watch! Christine
Colbourne.
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Her lecture recital is entitled "Venice and her Music": |
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 The Rose Trio
Suzanne Thorn (oboe), Rebecca Thorn (clarinet), Tamsin Thorn (bassoon) |
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