The Chen Brothers, Stokesley Methodist Church

MUSIC is almost always pleasurable and inspiring, and for that we usually have to thank the performers. It is, however, quite a shock to expectations when performers of serious classical music are two boys of 13 and 11 years of age.

That was the experience of the capacity audience at this charity recital of classical piano music by the Chen brothers, James and Jeremy, in aid of the Mahohoro Foundation for Education in Uganda.

I met these youthful pianists three years ago at Tuned In, Redcar, when they substituted at short notice for a pianist who was suddenly taken ill.

The incredulous gasp of the audience when they presented themselves on that occasion is something I will long remember. They were taught initially by Barbara White, the respected music teacher in Middlesbrough, and both are now studying at Chethams Music School in Manchester

We often find that precocious musicians come from a musical family; not so with the Chen brothers. In conversation with Mrs Chen, she assured me the family had no particular talent for music – Mr Chen is a scientist, and the source of their musical ability is a mystery to her.

The boys are also academically gifted, particularly in maths, and I believe there is a theory about that possible connection.

Jeremy, the younger of the brothers, opened the recital with Mozart’s Sonata in A Minor K310 which he performed to an amazingly high standard entirely from memory. The lyrical andante was beautifully expressed and the Presto flawless.

Naomi Haigh, representing the Mahohoro Foundation, spoke in detail about the school project that would benefit from the performance. This deserves a lengthy article of its own to publicise the efforts and energy that go into the provision of education in faraway Mahohoro.

After the interval when we were treated to soft drinks and cake, it was the turn of elder brother James.

He opened with Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in Eb Minor Book 1, a slow, measured piece sounding somewhat sad.

Beethoven’s Sonata in C Major Op.2 No.3 was beautifully performed with feeling and expression, the Adagio slowing the tempo and changing the mood from the opening Allegro. The Scherzo, which demanded fast fingering, was performed with confidence and consummate musicality, as were Chopin’s Ballade No.2 Op. 38 in F Major and Scherzo No.2 in B flat Minor Op.31. As his encore James played Chopin’s Etude in A flat Major.

This last item was played with tremendous poise and aplomb and both brothers took their final bows to rapturous applause.

Irene MacDonald