Hebrides Ensemble impress at Perth Concert Hall

Perth Lunchtime Concerts have just made a little bit of broadcasting history, writes music critic Ian Hunter.

A trio from Scotland’s famous Hebrides Ensemble streamed their concert live from the Perth Concert Hall all over the world. The concert will be available to view for the next year on their own website www. hebridesensemble.com and also the BBC Digital Arts Channel www.bbc.co.uk/arts.

The trio of Yann Ghiro, clarinet, William Conway, cello, artistic director of the ensemble, and Philip Moore, piano, began with Kenneth Leighton’s powerful Fantasy on an American Hymn Tune.

Here aspects of At the River were revealed in austere slow and jazzier fast sections, the full tune only heard in the expansive final section.

Debussy’s Premiere Rhapsodie came next.

Yann Ghiro’s clarinet as Debussy asks sweet and expressive then spikier in the scherzando part showed off immaculate technique.

Korean Isang Yun’s Espace showed William Conway’s cello in a Debussy-like start, then impassioned, then with delicate glissandos before a joyously playful section calmed to its end.

All three joined together for Poulenc’s Trio for oboe, bassoon and piano in an arrangement.

Opening with a baroque severity it soon collapsed into Poulenc’s witty, bubbling style, having at its heart a grand theme.

The Andante was coolly lyrical in mock-Mozart becoming fervent.

The insouciant fun of the finale was much applauded by all at the venue.