Sunday 24th February 2013

Review by Terry Keeler
Young Musicians' Concert
Templewood, Northrepps  24th February 2013

Cromer Music Evenings presented some of the most talented young amateur performers in our county - the aim being to give them an opportunity to perform to a live audience within the intimate confines of the Music Room at Templewood.

Patricia Cooney (Soprano) sang confidently works by Mozart, Brahms, Schumann and Quilter, all based on the theme - What is Love?

Rachael Crook (Clarinet) played Prelude and Summer from the Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite by Paul Reade and Fantasy Piece No 1 Op 73 by Schumann - a most relaxed and able performance.

Dylan Latham (Violin) just 12 years old, gave superb performances of Violin Concerto No 3 in G major, 1st movement by Mozart and Praeludium and Allegro by Krieslar. This young man shows great promise!

Ellen Sargen (Flute) played with ease Ballade by Carl Reinecke and the ever popular Syrinx by Debussy.

The pianist George Jefford, gave a very sensitive account of Debussy’s Reverie in romantic and impressionistic style, then with ease captured the classical style of Hayden’s Sonata Hob XV1 41 with its numerous embellishments fluently played, confirming the technical ability already established within this young artist - Chopin’s Prelude in B minor followed the Haydn where, I think, the tempo was rather fast and the use of rubato was missing which is vital in this Prelude, especially in this key B minor.

The last work of the concert - Concerto for Alto Saxophone by Ronald Binge played with such self belief, with pure quality of tone, impeccable breath control in the phrasing - coupled with varying dynamics and tone gradations, all amounting to a most mature performance by 17 year old Finlay McEwan, who is currently Norfolk’s Young Musician of the Year.

Ro Curtis should be congratulated on bringing these talented and very young artists to Templewood who all performed to a high standard, delighting today’s full house. The three accomplished accompanists, David Neil Jones, Ann Burdett and Duncan Barlow gave the best support any one could wish for.

It was very obvious today that young people in their chosen art seem to raise standards of performance on the occasion of such concerts, for which we can thank their teachers, the countless hours spent practising and yes, their parents.

Terry Keeler
16 Norwich Road, Cromer
Tel 01263 513273