Chaplaincy centre concert treat

The combination of cello and piano didn’t come into its own until Beethoven wrote five sonatas for the pairing, writes Garry Fraser.

After Friday’s concert in Dundee University Chaplaincy Centre, the combination of Shostakovich and Beethoven in this form proved to be equally satisfying as David Mowle (piano) and cellist Matthias Feile performed a sonata from each.

Most of the audience would’ve known David’s credentials through a number of appearances in and around Dundee but Matthias was more of an unknown quantity. However, his role in the ’80s and ’90s as principal cellist of the LPO indicated an excellent pedigree.

There were 126 years between each work but they fitted together like peas in a pod. In the Shostakovich, I thought Matthias bore the brunt of the technical demands, but when called upon David responded in kind. It’s not a long work but there’s an awful lot crammed into it.

Whereas Shostakovich presided over the keyboard for the premier of his sonata, Beethoven didn’t. Cellist Steven Isserlis claims that this was the first sonata to give each player equal billing and I couldn’t agree more. Both players complimented each other perfectly, particularly in the opening movement where the melody was passed to and fro.

This concert was a prime example of two local musicians delivering great music.