Danny Driver, Central Hall, Darlington

ALTHOUGH this recital for Darlington Piano Society included acknowledged masterpieces by Beethoven and Schumann it was two of the less familiar works which impressed me most.

The first of these was Handel’s Suite No. 5 in E major, one of a set of eight which, as Driver pointed out in his introduction, is not as well-known as Bach’s famous Suites.

With remarkable finger work and an authoritive performance throughout, he made a very strong case for a re-evaluation of this work.

The Three Mazurkas by Thomas Adès were modelled on Chopin’s famous pieces although the dance rhythms seemed less obvious.

There was a slightly edgy feel to the first and the third seemed calmer and more soothing but on this one hearing I found it hard to connect with them emotionally.

Beethoven’s Sonata No. 28, in A major, Op. 101, was as played as well as I’ve heard lately but I thought it was overshadowed by C P E Bach’s Fantasie in F sharp minor, H300.

Perhaps it was the unfamiliarity but in Driver’s confident performance it sounded both of its time and surprisingly contemporary and it certainly deserves to be better known.

The recital ended with Schumann’s early Fantasy in C major, Op. 17, a piece I’ve always thought awkwardly arranged, but Driver played each movement beautifully with a passionate performance of the last slow movement.

The next concert is on Sunday featuring pianist Ivana Gavric playing Grieg, Schubert and Rachmaninov. Details at dpiano.co.uk or 01325 401816.

Peter Bevan