A NEW season of classical recitals presented by Master Musicians International began with pianist Yuma Osaki, best known in this country as 3rd prize winner in the 2003 Leeds Piano Competition.

She began with Debussy’s Deux Arabesques with both the rippling first and the cheerful second played with an apparently effortless ease.

His 6 Etudes, Book 1, were more obviously demanding but Osaki made them sound more than just exercises.

Their focus (Study in Thirds, Sixths, Octaves and Eight Fingers without Thumbs, for example) clearly shaped them and gave them a distinctive character.

Number 2, making use of the full keyboard, had some interesting patterns, No 3 was more resonant at times and No 4, the set’s slow movement, more contemplative.

No 5 was seemingly even more complex and No 6 (without the thumbs) quite virtuosic with the fingers skittering over the keys.

In between the better known composers, Osaki introduced us to Dai Fujikura’s Two Etudes, Frozen Heat and Deepened Arc.

The first, drawing on many contemporary styles and influences was a very energetic and exciting piece with an insistent drive and strong momentum while the second, slightly redolent of Takemitsu at times, was slower, very deliberate with the final notes lingering in the air beautifully.

The second half consisted of Schumann’s attractive Arabesque and Carnaval which replaced the advertised Symphonic Studies.

Carnaval’s extremely varied sections were often a challenge to the Witham’s Broadwood piano with the slower movements tending to come off best.

Next in this series will be a recital on Saturday, October 11, when Ukrainian pianist Syuzanna Kaszo will play Beethoven, Chopin and Bartok; details at thewitham.org.uk.

Peter Bevan