IT WAS interesting to see that since my last visit to Bishop Auckland Music Society a year ago, the seating layout in the Throne Room had been changed with the piano sited in front of the fireplace rather than the window opposite.

It was hard to judge if this made any change to the sound as the room was still rather resonant, affecting the higher and louder notes in particular.

Ullman opened with Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in C sharp minor, BWV848, taken quickly but fluently.

Of the four Chopin Mazurkas, Op. 24, No. 3 was played delicately and more lightly and in No. 4 he produced a lovely haunting sound at the end.

Following Tchaikovsky’s delightful Theme and variations in F, Op. 19, No. 6 the soloist played three contrasting etudes by Rachmaninov, Chopin and Liszt.

The Chopin (in E minor, Op. 25, No. 5) was very effective and I particularly enjoyed the familiar and flamboyant Paganini Etude by Liszt.

The second set provided more contrast beginning with Debussy’s impressionistic Estampes which were played most convincingly, bringing out the images of Pagodas, Evenings in Granada and Gardens in the Rain.

This ability to conjure up an image to accompany the music was even more apparent in Stravinsky’s Three Movements from Petrouchka which was wonderfully dramatic.

A final Chopin Nocturne as an encore ended a most enjoyable recital by a musician I hope we’ll be hearing again in the region.

The society’s last concert this season, by the Meryon Trio (clarinet, piano and cello), takes place on Friday, September 4. Tickets and details from 01388 606075.

Peter Bevan