Les Chansons Instrumentales part 3, James Baillieu (piano) & Friends

James Baillieu, one of the faces of this year’s Festival, delivered another rich selection of extraordinary new talent, intriguing repertoire and very special musical collaborations. He led the ensemble, Jonathan McGovern (baritone), Bartosz Woroch, Viktor Stenhjem (violins), Adam Newman (viola), Philip Higham (cello), Adam Walker (flute) and Mark Simpson (clarinet), in Poulenc’s exquisite ‘Rapsodie nègre’.

There were delightful songs and sonatas, Hahn’s entrancing ‘Romanesque’ and Piano Quintet. Some were high-spirited, others delicate and sensuous, with almost a competition for who could play the quietest.

If ‘salon music’ means fascinating harmonies, subtlety and unashamed beauty of sound, then just play on!

All Saints Church, 18 May 2013
Rating:
Andrew Connal