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Brian Neaves Memorial Concert |
The purpose of Saturday night’s concert was to give everyone the opportunity of hearing and appreciating the Kawai grand piano now dedicated to the memory of Brian Neaves. We were fortunate in having three of the four members of the very attractive and talented Smith family to play for us. This concert can only add to their growing reputation in the Maidstone area. Eleanor, the pianist of the family, had helped to choose the piano, so it was very appropriate that she should be the first to give it a proper public airing.
She was joined by Victoria, who played the Sonata for Piano and Cello in F major, op. 99 by Brahms, and a group of three pieces by Frank Bridge, and Edmund who played the first movement from the Viola Concerto by Bartok and the Sonata for Viola and Piano in E flat major, op.120, also by Brahms.
The string playing was assured and full toned, both players capturing the warmth and beauty of the glorious Brahms sonatas. Edmund played brilliantly in the Bartok, bringing out the gypsy elements in the music. The Frank Bridge pieces were so English, a lovely Elegie and a heart warming Melodie, with a fiery Scherzo by contrast.
All of these pieces had highly demanding piano parts, which presented no problems for Eleanor, but we were all interested to hear the piano as a solo instrument. Eleanor chose Des pas sur la neige (Prelude No. 6 from Book 3), and L’Isle joyeuse, by Debussy. The first piece conjured up a grey wintry scene with very quiet atmospheric chords, and in L’isle joyeuse the full range of the piano is used in cascades of notes. It was a virtuoso performance showing that the piano has an excellent dynamic range. It must be many years since such a splendid piano sound has been heard in All Saints, and it is to be hoped that other pianists will now be encouraged to come and play in the church.
Victoria and Edmund are playing these pieces at the end of the month in their diploma concerts at the Royal College of Music. We are sure that everyone in the appreciative audience will wish them every success. We look forward to hearing these gifted young artists again, and we also hope that the Brian Neaves Memorial Concert will become an annual event.
Jean and Brian Moore