The December recital by Bridget Kerrison (soprano), Tom Caldecote (clarinet) and Trevor Hughes (piano) was a feast of lovely music, avowedly made up of the performers’ favourite items, which came across in their warm interactions with each other and with the audience.

The substantial first item: the Clarinet Sonata by Saint-Saëns, explored all aspects of the interplay between the instruments, exploiting the full capability of the clarinet from the lowest to the highest pitches, from whisper quiet to dramatic climaxes, from extended slow passages to athletic episodes. All these were complemented by the sensitive and expert playing of Trevor Hughes.

The three Walton songs, and indeed all Bridget’s items, revealed her agile voice, perfect pitching of the notes and well characterised depictions of the texts. 

All three performers came together for several items, including The Shepherd on the Rock by Schubert and the seasonal Sacred Cradle-song by Brahms.

The concert finished with a little Christmas spice in arrangements of well known songs by Trevor Hughes, for one of which Tom changed his timbre and brought out his saxophone.

Clifton Hughes