Forum Theatre, Malvern – 21st March 2024
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
5*****
Malvern Concert Club always presents programmes which reach for the sky, filling the musical firmament with the brightest stars. Tonight we were graced with the presence of violinist Elena Urioste and pianist Tom Poster with an exciting presentation of lesser known works.
I love it when the music is given an introduction on stage – not only does it give us some context to the pieces and why they were chosen but also a chance to get to know our performers. First up was Tom introducing the first half of the show…
…kicking off with Mendelssohn’s Violin Sonata in F (1838). A really lovely work, the first movement has a breathless ending which is charming and this charm continues into the lilting Adagio second movement. The final movement blossoms out with a speed and technical prowess that dazzles in a daring display from tonight’s artists.
It was no surprise during the evening to learn that Elena and Tom had recorded together as they had a natural rapport with a lot of eye contact producing a real intimacy. The balance between them was perfect, they dovetailed with crisp phrasing that brought out the clarity of the music, shining individually whilst also making the other half of the team shine brightly. Bringing the best out of each other sounds like the perfect duo I would say.
Mélanie Bonis’s Violin Sonata in F sharp minor, Op.112 (1923) was next. To me, a rather sad sound-world with a haunting, unfulfilled yearning in the opening movement. After moving through more confident and further sorrowful territory the clouds parted for a quirky finale that had a child like innocence to it.
After the break, Elena outlined the duo’s mission to introduce us to works by lesser known composers and established composer’s overlooked gems. A laudable goal that we can all applaud. And I was so glad they were on this mission as the next piece up was…
Amy Beach’s Romance, Op.23, written in 1893 but sounding way more modern than that. Romance is the perfect title for this work – it’s gorgeous! My favourite piece of the night. Imagine an old Hollywood black and white film where the lovers have a tearful farewell on a train platform… The final violin note supported by piano chords is to die for! Beautiful.
The final piece on the programme was Grieg’s Violin Sonata No.1 in F, Op.8 from 1865. A deceptive opening on the piano leads you to believe we are in for a quiet revelry but the violin soon lets fly with an open, light theme. This work definitely saves the best for last – as in the final movement a breathless ending with pizzicato violin leads to an impassioned series of chords. A joyous way to conclude the evening.
The multiple ovations were thoroughly deserved and we were rewarded with Tom’s own arrangement of “Over The Rainbow”; in probably the best version I’ve ever heard. It sounded fresh and felt like the Ferrero Rocher at the end of a sumptuous dinner party. And this time we really were being spoiled.
Stunning playing, wonderful musicianship, an interesting and well thought out programme. A flawless evening’s entertainment and I thank them both for introducing me to Amy Beech. Just another perfect musical evening in Malvern