Toad Lane’s May concerts
MAY 4: Johanna Leung Clarinet (Hong Kong and RNCM) and Ellada Pavlou piano (Greece, TrinityLaban and RNCM) two more rising stars with master’s degrees, they began with Premiere Rhapsodie by Debussy, which was an excellent vehicle for them.
This was contrasted by a sparkling modern piece for clarinet alone by contemporary composer Flowers Tannenbaum.
Their tour de force was a magnificent Sonata by Brahms.
An added treat was an ideally suited encore by Nino Rota (who wrote the score for the film Godfather II).
May 11: Jessica Hope soprano (RNCM and Royal Birmingham
Conservatoire) has a vivacious personality and a beautiful voice and engages easily and fully with her audience.
A versatile performer equally at home in classical and musical theatre styles.
She was accompanied by Tim Kennedy (Cambridge and RNCM staff) in arias by Handel and Mozart, German songs by Schubert and Wolf, Art songs by Roger Quilter, and three charming French songs by Hahn.
This sophisticated and glorious recital culminated in two operatic gems by Bizet and Puccini that would grace any stage.
May 18: Pianist Ellada Pavlou accompanied again, this time Juan Antonio bassoon (USA, Italy and RNCM) in a rare opportunity of bassoon in concert.
Telemann’s Fantasia for unaccompanied bassoon was a masterclass.
Juan introduced his choices, and his gregarious personality immediately engaged his audience.
His passion for music and the bassoon is infectious. Joining with the piano we had two beautiful lyrical pieces, ‘Morgen!’ by Richard Strauss and Romance by Elgar.
The rapport between the players was extraordinary as they achieved a rare fluency throughout.
Saint-saëns’ Sonata seemed to portray an enthusiastic clown, sometimes dramatic, sometimes joking, sometimes with a tear running down his cheek.
Piazolla provided a terrific finale and had everyone’s feet tapping.
May 25: Margaret Ferguson soprano (Ghana, Poland and RNCM) and Maria King piano (RNCM).
These excellent performers and regular favourites at St Mary in the Baum before the pandemic were back on top form.
Wonderful arias from Handel and Mozart, serious songs from Liddle and Hatton to Barry Manilow, Perry Como, and Lloyd Webber.
The Queen’s Awardwinning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. Contact 01706 648 872 for further information.