THE final concert of the Chipping Sodbury Music Society 2013-2014 season featured Karina Lucas mezzo soprano and Rory Russell guitar. Four works from the Baroque Era by Gluck, Erlebach and Handel were well projected with good control of rhythm, and the well known Handel aria “Let Me Weep” with its touching melody was phrased with great care by both players.

Dowland’s “Lute Songs” were presented with clear diction and Britten’s selection of songs from different parts of Britain were well characterised. A guitar solo of traditional Celtic pieces including the nostalgic “Skye Boat Song” was played with great feeling and the wide range of the guitar was well deployed.

The second half of the programme was devoted to Spanish music by Lorca, Albeniz and De Falla. Two guitar solos from “Suite Espagnola” by Albeniz interposed the songs and Rory Russell demonstrated a delicate touch in the slower music. The vocal pieces were sung with great panache by Karina Lucas, a reflection perhaps of her part Spanish parentage. The many moods of the De Falla songs were well captured and the final song titled “Polo” brought tumultuous applause from an audience which had enjoyed an evening of fine music making.

The first concert of Chipping Sodbury Music Society’s 67th Season, in the Town Hall at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 14 October 2014, will be given by the Del Mar Trio - Francesca Barritt violin, Morwenna Del Mar cello and Yshani Perinpanayagam piano.

Gerry Philp – 13 May 2014