The comparativist

Mezzo-soprano Sophie Clarke and pianist Lewis Kingsley Peart offered a beautiful recital yesterday in Christ Church to more than one hundred music fanatics. Songs composed by the likes of Michael Head, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Ivor Novello delighted the audience for about an hour and gave the presentation a distinctive Scouser flair. «And Her Mother Came Too» from the revue «A to Z» was my personal favourite, as this hilarious song greatly showcased Ms. Clarke's theatrical prowess, a great compliment to her thunderous, yet refined, vocals. As I left the auditorium, however, I did remark that another Novello classic had made more of an impression, as several attendees hummed and whistled «We'll Gather Lilacs in the Spring» on their way out of the venue. Mr Lewis Kingsley Peart's piano playing skills didn't go unnoticed: he tamed the monstrous Christ Church Yamaha grand with extensive use of the una corda pedal, all while being experienced enough to make his mus...