On Friday evening 30th. January a violin and piano recital was hosted by the newly named GUILDFORD MUSIC SOCIETY at the U.R.C. featuring the young local fourteen year old violinist Erika Smith-Gordon.

Partnered by professional pianist Alison Rhind the young Erika astounded the audience with her mature and masterly playing in a demanding programme of works by Max Bruch, J.S.Bach, Edvard Grieg and Camille Saint-Saens. These were no easy pieces that one would expect from one so young! They encompassed two movements from concertos by Bruch and Bach,the latter being played with outstanding sensitivity by both artists, a long and demanding Sonata No.3 Op.45 by Grieg and to finish Saint-Saëns's virtuosic "Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso"

Throughout the programme her playing displayed panache, assurance, and ability far beyond her age. Her control of intonation and dynamics matched those of her immensely talented partner admirably and the resulting outstanding display of musicianship resulted in an ovation the length of which far exceeded that usually experienced in previous concerts.

Already known in music festivals and elected Woking Junior Musician of the Year in 2013 this young lady is surely heading for a brilliant future if she chooses to make music her life and we shall follow her career with great interest.

Peter Burge

Erika Smith-Gordon

Erika Smith-Gordon, 14, is a 1st year pupil and music scholar at Wellington College, Crowthorne, where she weekly-boards. Although she was offered a place by the Junior Department of Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she decided to continue learning violin privately with Lucy-Ellen Spencer in Guildford.

She has always enjoyed performing for people in all kinds of settings; she has played in many concerts, both solo and in orchestras, at her previous and current schools, participated in music festivals in the local/adjacent areas, and also played for local elderly people and primary school children. She was awarded the Woking Junior Musician of the Year title in 2013. The highlight of last year was to participate in Age UK Surrey’s Christmas Service when she performed solo pieces in Guildford Cathedral.

She was a member of the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain. At Wellington College she is a member of the school orchestra, chamber orchestra and string trio. Erika begins the year 2015 with exciting recital opportunities at Soirées at Breinton, Guildford URC Concert Society and in the Second Sunday Concert series at St Paul’s Church Grove Park, Chiswick. She is also due to perform Beethoven’s Romance with Guildford Symphony Orchestra in March.