Imogen Cooper, St Andrew’s Church, Aldborough

FOR the opening concert, the Northern Aldborough Festival presented the eminent pianist Imogen Cooper making, I think, a rare visit to the region.

Performing to an almost full church, she began with Chopin’s Barcarolle, Op.60.

I’m not sure it evoked images of Venetian canals, but I liked the way the initial bright tone of the Steinway was gradually tempered by a much softer and gentler touch.

Schumann’s Humoresque, Op.20, is not a piece I’ve previously warmed to, but I thought Miss Cooper made its contrasting moods more cohesive than usual.

With, for example, an often jolly and lively opening and a lovely, delicate central passage, I enjoyed the mix of dramatic, poetic and thoughtful moods.

The second set opened with Schubert’s 12 German Dances, D790, immediately so much warmer than Schumann, and here, graceful too, even when fast.

That was perfect preparation for his magnificent Sonata in A major, D959, one of his last and greatest compositions which received a suitably considered performance here.

The slow, deliberate ending of the first movement Allegro, for example, was played beautifully and prepared the way for the following Andantino, although not for Schubert’s sudden if brief dramatic outburst there.

The whole piece, while detailed and complex, seemed ordered and well balanced, helped I think, by Miss Cooper’s unmannered style and her complete focus on the music.

Barker & Shaw at the Movies, The Old Hall, North Deighton

IT IS always a pleasure to visit The Old Hall where the Northern Aldborough Festival presents regular jazz concerts each year.

It’s a very welcoming venue for musicians and audience and where else do you get to park next to an alpaca enclosure?

This year it was the turn of trumpeter Guy Barker and pianist and vocalist Ian Shaw, both outstanding musicians sharing an enthusiasm for film and film music.

Taking it in turn to talk to the audience with anecdotes, lines from films and whatever else occurred to them at the moment they also managed to slip in quite a few songs.

Opening with music and lines from Young Man With a Horn and then Sweet Smell of Success they suddenly jumped to Wouldn’t It Be Loverly sung and played by Shaw alone.

On Hoagy Carmichael’s Up a Lazy River, including the rarely-heard verse, they both showed what good jazz musicians they are.

This was followed by Since I Fell For You, which featured Barker’s rich eloquent trumpet tone while Shaw almost caressed the words.

Their second set continued the mix with the tale telling passing from one to another and Shaw in particular as funny and outrageous as ever.

Themes from The Odd Couple, La Strada and La Dolce Vita followed and then a nice double with Barker featured on Alfie’s Theme by Sonny Rollins while Shaw sang the Burt Bacharach title song, What’s It All About Alfie? with sincerity and feeling.

A final Making Whoopee, with a new ending, seemed a good choice to end the evening’s entertainment.

Reviews: Peter Bevan