THE January concert at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall was given by pianist Alicia Chaffey. The first half was devoted to music from the Romantic period and the second half to the Impressionist era.

Liszt is generally thought of as a composer of technical brilliance. His sonata Number 5 from his “Journeys Through Italy” demonstrated his poetic side. This mood was realised to perfection by the soloist and a nostalgic haze hung over the whole piece.

Rachmaninov was one of the finest pianists of his day and his 6 Moments Musiicaux, an early work, shows how he was developing the expressive possibilities of the instrument. Alicia Chaffey clearly loves this composer and Moments Numbers 1 and 6 were played with great affection and total concentration.

The most substantial work of the evening was Kabalevsky’s Piano Sonata Number 3. Composed in 1946 it proved more approachable than most music composed around this time.

The next concert of Chipping Sodbury Music Society’s 67th Season, to be held in the Town Hall at 7.30 pm on Tuesday, February 17, will be given by Flercussion.

Outstanding young Scottish-based musicians Jo Ashcroft, flute, and Calum Huggan, marimba and percussion team together in this exciting, creative and quirky new duo combination.

Their combined vision is to bring the repertoire and sound world of the instruments they are so passionate about.

Gerry Philp