Both of these musicians visited Christ Church last year: Ms Fillhart came in April with the Manchester Reed Trio, and Mr Gough came last July, when he shared a piano with Tom Kimmance; then, we celebrated Mr Gough's lighthearted approach to what sometimes are unnecessarily solemn affairs– and today, too, his charismatic personality shone through, matched only by his virtuosismo.
Ms Fillhart has a very perceptive musical empathy from which the core of a varied range of emotions is conveyed; what I mean is that she's quite transparent with her instrument, which allows the latent emotional aspect of each piece to be showcased; the pieces I enjoyed the most today, Ravel's short «Pièce en forme de Habanera» and Paul Reade's «Prelude from ‘Victorian Kitchen Garden’ Suite» were, I believe, great examples of compositions delivered in an emotional-evoquing way.
I'm already looking forward to the bow brigade that is Sarah Marks' Southport Strings Ensemble, and I do recommend showing-up a tad early next Wednesday as I foresee St Valentine's concert to be quite well-attended.
Original-date: 8 Feb 2025