MaxBaillie and AlasdairBeatson
I went to a super exciting concert on Friday night at King’s Place – pianist Alasdair Beatson and violinist/violist Max Baillie playing George Enescu’s rarely heard Sonata no 3 in A minor, Op 25 and Beethoven’s Kreutzer sonata. The programme was ‘Incantations’ and the two sonatas were bookended by Martinu’s Variations on a Slovakian theme, Lily Boulanger’s Nocturne and two spare, tiny and crystalline pieces by György Kurtág.
I first heard Max at Aldeburgh several years ago with his experimental electronic music duo, Sonnen – and then at the Handel Hendrix House as part of the 2024 London Handel Festival when he and guitarist Rob Luft played ‘Hendrix-ed’ Handel – which was pretty spectacular. So I was not surprised by the Enescu sonata – so lyrical in the second movement and so absolutely edge-of-your-seat, grippingly dramatic in the third. A hard act indeed to follow – possibly only Beethoven’s Kreutzer sonata (rejected by the violinist Kreutzer to whom it was dedicated as too hard to play) could have successfully taken up the challenge.
A great concert not only to hear but to watch as Alasdair Beatson positively dances round the piano – every note played by every part of his body! But sadly – and inexplicably – King’s Place was not even half full. What was going on?….
And more Beethoven
Joana, Dorothea and Kirsten did us proud earlier in the week with an evening of delighful Beethoven string trios. A selection of clips to come in a future blog post when I have sorted them out – and when I can also bring you booking details for Joana’s Islington Festival in July.
And another full house allowed us to send another fat cheque to the Camden Music Trust.
Meanwhile…
Noel Cowards struts the boards
On Monday 23rd William Godfree will bring the Master and his songs to life for us. I am afraid the evening is now sold out but there is a waiting list so do add your name on the off chance.
Sunday 22nd – Guitar Fest
But instead, the day before, you could join us for a Highgate Society Sunday lunchtime concert at 10a South Grove for a Feast of Guitars with Declan Hickey (who many of you will have met at Hampstead Lane) and Michael Matthews.
12 noon – £15 for the concert and a glass of Bucks Fizz. Book here.
Later in the year Declan and his colleagues will be putting together and early 19th century Salon for us – complete with audience participation heckling….. More details to come in due course.
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