The comparativist

Violinist Pip Clarke and pianist Havilland Willshire made their yearly Spring appearance in Christ Church earlier today to a crowd of about 120 musical enthusiasts, who heard pieces by Handel, Paul Hindemith, and Brahms. A masterful piano adaptation of the «Violin Sonata in D major, Op. 1 n.º 13 (HWV 371)» opened the day; to me, the first part, the affettuoso , was the stand-out of this first half of the presentation. This elegant part gives a baroque twist to the baroque D F# A D sequence that surprises whoever is following along, as the progression is resolved in a rather pleasing, innovative way. The closing piece, by Brahms, the «Violin Sonata n.º 3 in D minor, (Op. 108)», was another simple reason why one should never miss these mid-week delights: The first part, again, was, to me, of particular note, even if just a jewel amongst jewels. This seemingly simple, classic-romantic masterclass in subdued-yet-intense piano-violin dialogue: subdued because it's not loud, but imp...