A selection of the most talented students from Surrey University gave what was called a "Showcase Concert of Chamber Music with Piano". This was certainly well named as every one of the seven students featured, displayed exceptional talent.

Unusually, the introductory item was given by a countertenor. He gave an impressive selection of three very well sung Handel arias followed by "Where the bee sucks" by Michael Tippett. This latter, was very short but highly demanding for both singer and Surrey University professor, now acting as accompanist, Dr. Maureen Galea, who occupied the piano stool with her usual exemplary ability throughout the afternoon.

The well known Adagio from Mozart`s Clarinet Concerto K.622 was played with a mellifluous tone and a fine control of the difficult ornaments, and then two movements from Ronald Binge`s Concerto provided great opportunities for a saxophonist to "strutt her stuff" in this splendid piece. Not to be outdone, this was followed by a great flute performance of "Andante Pastoral and Scherzettino" written in 1907 by Paul Taffanel, and lastly Ian Clarke`s "Orange down".

After the interval, a very fine cellist played the ever popular "The Swan" from Saint-Saen`s " Carnival of the Animals" and "Kol Nidrei" by Max Bruch. A superb tone and expressive feeling made this a memorable rendering of these well-loved pieces.

As a contrast, we heard a soprano sing "Un moto di gioja" by Mozart and Schubert`s "Du bist die Ruh" with good diction and a fine clear voice, easily able to scale the heights demanded by this music .Finally to finish this recital, a very competent trumpeter played the "Andante et Scherzo" Op.44 by Henri Busser, a composer who was born in 1872 and lived to be 101 !!

PB