Hammond demonstrated sting of menace in the Trio

Fine performances were heard from pianist Clare Hammond in the Lunchtime Series at Perth Concert Hall.

Clare is BBC Music Magazine’s Rising Star and winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Young Artist Award.

First came Schubert’s four Impromptus D899. Clare’s reading of these works brought out not only their melodiousness but also their cogent shape.

She did not flinch from the darker moments, but always brought out what she referred to as Schubert’s compassion.

No 1 had the simplicity which takes hard work to achieve.No 2 was hypnotic in its ceaseless movement, given with lightness and clarity. The melody of No 3 conquered all and No 4 was flowing and calming, but with a sting of menace in the Trio.

Scottish composer Malcolm Hayes was present in the hall to receive the warm applause which greeted his From the Purgatorio of Dante, made up of two pieces – The Valley of the Late-Repentant and Forese Donati speaks to Dante.

In these pieces, the composer wished to express patience in music. The first reminded of Liszt’s Legends, a cascade of notes representing angels and the Salve Regina betokening peace. The second did unmistakably convey the idea of conversation.

Clare Hammond ended with the second set of Chopin Études. Here was the expression of emotion wrapped in fleet technique. She had exemplary dexterity and clarity allied with the surges of power to make the most of the final three, almost symphonic poem études.