Saturday 30th September 2006 – Friends School, Saffron Walden 7.30 pm
Concerto Cristofori
Sharona Joshua Harpsichord, Fortepiano
Peter Hanson Violin
Nia Harries Cello
The Saffron Walden and District Music Club was privileged to welcome Concerto Cristofori (keyboards, cello and violin) for the opening concert of the 2006-2007 season. Specialising in period performance, this group gave a lively and uplifting recital of eighteenth century classics, including a Haydn trio, sonatas by Bach and Boccherini, and a suite for solo harpsichord by Handel, the E major which includes the well-known `Harmonious Blacksmith’ Air and variations, played with masterly style by keyboard player Sharona Joshua. It was intriguing to observe the difference between the harpsichord, which can only be played at one volume, and the fortepiano, which is capable of changes of volume and tone colour. Both instruments were superbly played, in particular in the final piece of the evening, the C major trio by Mozart. The difficulties inherent in playing authentic period string instruments were overcome with great finesse by cellist Nia Harries in the Boccherini cello sonata, and in violinist Peter Hanson’s spirited rendition of the Bach Sonata in A.
Val Norton
