THE lovely but small private chapel in Stockeld Park, just outside Wetherby, was a perfect setting for this solo baroque violin recital, especially on another pleasant summer morning.

It was performed by the Croatianborn Bojan Cicic who, as a member of the Academy of Ancient Music and Florilegium among others, is well established as a baroque specialist.

In this he also has the advantage of playing a violin made around 1680 in Cremona loaned to him by the Jumpstart Junior Foundation.

Cicic, who seemed to perform rather carefully and deliberately at times, generally produced a rather sweet sound offset by some distinctive harmonies.

I always find it helpful and informative when musicians introduce the music themselves and Cicic did this here, setting each piece in its context.

He began with possibly the most familiar piece in the programme, J S Bach’s Violin Sonata in G minor, BWV1001, with a thoughtful opening Adagio, a slightly hesitant Fuga but an easy flowing Presto.

Telemann’s Fantasia from 1735 was an effective set of contrasting variations with thoughtful and soothing interludes contrasting with some sprightly dances.

Pisendel’s Solo Violin Sonata had a beautifully measured opening movement but ended with some increasingly elaborate dance music while the Swedish composer Roman’s Overture for violin solo seemed almost to be telling a story.

He ended with one of Tartini’s solos sonatas from a marathon set which seemed studied and serious but also exceptionally beautiful.

Peter Bevan