The Witham, Barnard Castle

FOR the last in this welcome series of classical recitals, Master Musicians International presented the Czech pianist Adam Skoumal.

In a change to the advertised programme, he opened with one of Beethoven’s last magnificent sonatas, in E major, Op. 109.

It was hard to judge this at first as the piano had not been freshly tuned, but the lovely Adagio espressivo at the end of the first movement seemed less affected.

Schubert’s Klavierstücke No. 1, D946 ended with a noticeably light touch from Skoumal compared with Reviews the grand Lisztian flourish at the start of his Vals Caprice, based on Schubert waltzes.

It was clear by now that the pianist had a lovely gradation of touch, remarkably light at times but also forceful where needed.

Two Humoresques by Dvo ák included one lesser known piece and his familiar one which it was a pleasure to hear in its original form, without embellishment.

In very contrasting mood, Janá ek’s Sonata I.X.1905 was restless and full of foreboding at first then very sombre in a moving performance.

There was more contrast too in three of the pianist’s own compositions, including a romantic Album Leaf with a pensive ending, and flamboyant, virtuosic Exotic Dance.

I’m not sure that Debussy’s complex and multi-layered L’Isle Joyeuse was well served by the piano but the encore was a particular delight.

Skoumal had previously written two short pieces for children’s duet and had completed a third one, provisionally entitled A la Turca that weekend, and with promoter Ernest Scott joining him. It was pleasing to hear a new series starts, Wednesday, September 10, with Yuma Osaki, a Leeds Piano competition finalist in 2003. Details in due course, thewitham.org.uk.

Peter Bevan