Butlers Marston Concert Society, April Concert, Sunday 28 April at the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Butlers Marston.

Butlers Marston Concert Society Founder Director, Lynn Arnold must be so pleased to be celebrating 15 years of concerts and to reflect on the contribution she has made to keeping “live music” flourishing.  Judging by the full house on Sunday night she has achieved her aim.

Violinist, Francesca Barritt joined pianist Lynn for a recital of Beethoven, Elgar, Sammons and Strauss, an eclectic mix favoured by many soloists in today’s concert halls.  Both artists teach at the Royal Academy Junior Department thereby maintaining frequent contact.  Evidence of a close understanding between them was clear in Beethoven’s Sonata No 8 in G major, Op 30 No 3. Opening with a dramatic duet, the work is endlessly inventive, full of graceful lyricism.  Both Lynn and Francesca take centre stage at different times with Lynn keeping a constantly watchful eye on her charge.  The rustic Beethoven is evident in the last movement together with a hint of Haydn.

Elgar’s two salon pieces from 1901 - Chanson de nuit and Chanson de matin featured at different times during the evening concert, the first before the interval, the second as a well-deserved encore.  These two charming pieces were delicately played and enjoyed by all. As a self-taught violinist, and later, concert soloist, Albert Sammons was an impressive interpreter of Elgar’s work, recording Elgar’s Violin Concerto and performing the work more than 200 times. His own composition, Dance Caprice Op 15 is full of charm and an opportunity for Francesca to sparkle.

Thirteen years before Elgar’s work, Strauss composed his Sonata in Eb for violin and piano Op 18. Lynn’ s carefully crafted opening movement melody develops into a jubilant ending. The second movement is much more meditative before the virtuosic efforts of Francesca in the last movement with some mighty impressive left-hand pizzicato playing.

Yet another very successful concert in Butlers Marston completed.