The Sunderland Pianoforte Society continued its 77th season with a recital given by well established British pianist, Ashley Wass. An old friend of the Society who was making a welcome return visit, he gave the audience a wonderful evening performing works by Bach, Schumann and Elgar. As well as winning many competitions Ashley has performed at many of the world’s finest concert halls including the Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall and the Vienna Konzerthaus. He made his Proms debute in 2008 and since then has played in many countries.

The evening began with a most impressive performance of the Bach Partita No. 1 in B flat which was played with great authority and contrast and was clearly enjoyed by the audience. This was followed by Kinderszenen by Schumann which was given a beautiful performance and was a good contrast to the Bach. After the interval we heard Elgar’s own transcription of the Enigma Variations, a much loved work which is rarely heard as a piano solo but Ashley Wass managed to make this sound very orchestral, using the piano in a most professional manner and producing very rich sounds. This is a true artist.

The audience were not willing to let Ashley finish and were given an encore of the Arietta, op.12 no.1 by Grieg. Altogether, a very good evening.

Lily Scott

Sunderland Pianoforte Society continued its 77th Season with a recital given by the brilliant young Lithuanian pianist Ugnius Pauliukonis who delighted his audience with a thoughtful and interesting programme. The recital began with a beautiful performance of the Sonata no. 52 in E flat by Haydn which was played with great care and authority. The speed was perfect as was the use of pedal which was minimal. This was followed by a selection of Chopin Nocturnes, Waltzes and Studies which made a good end to the first half. After the interval we heard Images, Book 1 by Debussy and again were impressed by the atmosphere created by Reflets dans L’eau which was followed by Hommage a Rameau and Mouvement which was given a brilliant performance. The evening finished with a moving and beautiful performance of the Sonata no.2 in B flat minor by Chopin, and the audience which had bravely struggled through very bad weather to attend were well rewarded by having such a good evening.

The Society is grateful for the sponsorship and support of Making Music’s Philip and Dorothy Green Award for Young Concert Artists scheme which over the years has been a great help to the Society.

Lily Scott

The 77th season of the Sunderland Pianoforte Society continued with a recital given by Korean pianist Grace Yeo in the Pottery room at Sunderland Museum. It was well attended by an enthusiastic audience who enjoyed listening to works by Robert and Clara Schumann, Beethoven, and Scriabin, and were privileged to be present for the first performance of local composer David Pennycuick’s Preludes op.19 [nos. 20, 21, 24 and 6]. These were well contrasted preludes which were well received by the audience and beautifully played by Grace Yeo who had a clear understanding of the works.

The first half of the recital consisted of Robert Schumann’s Arabeske, op.18 and Sonata in G minor, op.11 as well as Clara Schumann’s Romance in A flat and Deuxième Scherzo in C. The second half began with the Pennycuick Preludes which were followed by Sonata op.10 no.3 by Beethoven and the recital finished with a brilliant performance of Scriabin’s Sonata no.4 in F sharp. However the audience wanted more and were given two encores, Liszt’s Gnomenreigen and Schumann’s Träumerei.

Grace Yeo was making her second visit to Sunderland and is an artist of great technical ability as well as a clear understanding of the music and gave the audience a most enjoyable evening.

Lily Scott