The concert of 12th November by Trio Celadon: Daniel Ephgrave, flute, Naomi Sullivan, saxophone, and Jill Morton, piano, was a feast of delights.
We heard the tale of Fuzzette, the Tarantula, who lost her coat but still got her man, her adventure being highlighted in short instrumental episodes between the narration. This reviewer was moved by a trio by Madeleine Dring, which he himself has played with his children on flute and oboe, the latter, in this concert, being reassigned to soprano saxophone.
Each player had a solo: the saxophone: “Aria” by Eugène Bozza; the flute: “Prelude and Saltarella” by Robert Planel; the piano (apart from accompanying every other item): “Clouds” by Florence Price. Jill charmingly related how she had played this once in a concert on a canal boat, when the heavens opened to match the title of the music.
We were also treated to music by Lowell Liebermann and Walter Leigh. Though all the items (bar the encore from Carmen) were 20th and 21st century, all were tuneful, rhythmic, wistful, lively, even athletic, plaintive and expressive by turns.
A wonderful evening.
Clifton Hughes