THIS young pianist set the tone of the recital with the Prelude and Fugue in F-sharp minor by Bach. It is from the Well Tempered Klavier collection of preludes and fugues which Bach composed in each of the major and minor keys. It has all the sweetness and calm beauty of Bach’s regularity and symmetry. Hicks acknowledged that Bach is one of his personal favourites, and he certainly did justice to the music.

This was followed by Sonata in E-major op. 90 by Beethoven, consisting of only two movements.

Hicks introduced it as a “lyrical”

sonata, and it certainly has a voice which speaks from the heart. The first movement is written in a fast 3/4 tempo, suggesting romantic dilemma, while the second settles into resolution, quietude and, as always, in Beethoven, a detectable note of sadness.

Chopin’s Etude no. 10 0p. 25 was delivered at top speed and was described by Hicks as an exercise of “playing in octaves”. These Etudes are essentially studies in pianoplaying techniques, but of course in the forms created by gifted composer/ performers such as Chopin they are works in their own right, suitable for the concert platform.

A sensational performance of the second movement of Stravinsky’s Petrouchka, full of musical challenges and difficulties, brought the programme to a close.

Thomas Hicks is a name I feel we shall become very familiar with in the future. A mere 20 years old, he did more than justice to all the music he performed.

Irene MacDonald