(4 / 5)
It was touch and go if I was going to make it London from Wales. I’m glad I made it just about and was rewarded with a treat of a concert. American violinist Elena Urioste might not be know to us in the UK as she should, yet the playing tonight was compelling and subtle.
An Essay of Love would be a lockdown commission from Mark Simpson, a tightrope between gentle discord and seething ambiance. Sospiri by Elgar was a treat, folk like flutters in the piano, played all with force all night by husband Tom Poster. Elena gets rich, typically English wafts in a special little gift of a piece. Rebecca Clarke and her Midsummer Moon from 1924, was effectively modern in the sense of execution and intent. Between impressionism and expressionism, it was fascinating to hear its alluring sensibility.
Most wonderfully Mozart was next with the Vioin Sonata in B flat, as I venture to Salzburg the following morning. I will write more of old Wolfgang in the coming months. Here the husband and wife duo captured the tumbling cheek and witty trick it demands. Always a mood lift and often profound Mozart rarely disappoints. Clarice Assad’s Emotiva opened the first half, interesting sound world and I want to hear it once more. Tanzlied des Pierrot from Korngold’s Die tote Stadt is a rarity and a very pretty one. It really captures the mood perfectly of loving musings, Korngold who fled Europe for the U.S. wrote well for the instrument, his Violin Concerto as another fine example.
Richard Strauss ended with his very own Violin Sonata in E flat. I wondered if this did sound like him? Best known for his operas, tone poems and lieder, I wouldn’t say I felt his style in this. Yet, with the demanding bravado for both, its rhapsodic urgency and the finely crafted structure it is a standout. Strange little bowing nods for Elena and hammering, feverish play for Tom assault the ears, but it is never overdone. Whilst we may not think of the German composer in this type of piece, it was in a sense rather barnstorming.
An encore of Mel Bonis, a French composer finally getting her due, was a wink to a new CD out the next day. I’ll allow it!