The comparativist

The autumn programme of Christ Church started today with a musical presentation by clarinetist Andrew Roberts, his daughter violist Steph Roberts, and pianist James Carrick-Buchanan; they performed pieces by Robert Schumann, Gordon Jacob, and Mozart. The highlight of the day, I believe, was the very first piece of Schumann's «Fantasiestucke, Op. 73», the «Zart und mit Ausdruck», which begins in a melancholic A minor, but artfully shifts to a cheerier A major towards its triumphal ending. This piece also stood out because of its loaded significance, as it marks the beginning of a promising autumn season by Christ Church. Today, attendance was around one hundred, but I expect attendees to increase now that word of Christ Church's programme's return. Of note was also the Mozart piece, the «Kegelstatt Trio» (K498), of which I particularly enjoyed the first «Andante» movement. Next week, Alexandra Walton and Nigel Reeve (flute and piano) will surely have a delightf...