A MISERABLY wet stormy day did not deter the capacity audience welcomed by Peter Sotheran at Tuned In, Redcar, for the piano recital by the youthful Russian-born pianist Yulia Vershinina.

Mr Sotheran thanked the audience for their support and commitment, adding that without an audience of 50-55, there is the possibility these classical concerts would not be possible.

Vershinina has been studying the piano since she was eight, continuing in Brussels when her family moved to Belgium. She has won piano competitions including the Steinway Klavier Wettewerb in Hamburg, and has studied in the Brussels Royal Conservatoire. She is continuing her studies at postgraduate level in the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Her recital opened with Schubert’s A minor Sonata D 784 – one of her personal favourites.

This piece begins with a dramatic allegro gusto movement, the piano sounding like a great orchestra in full flow, rich in feeling and power.

The andante which follows proceeds more quietly and sweetly, but with regular emphatic passages, and a tremendous allegro vivace to finish. This is a spectacular work, Schubertian in its exuberance, but also fierce.

Schubert died aged 31. A prolific composer, his music – light-hearted, tuneful and often full of passion – triumphed over serious health problems, keeping him composing to the last. This piece is a testimony to that strength of mind.

In Ravel’s Miroires, we have piano music of exquisite delicacy and form, which successfully brings up the shimmering, fluttering effects of reflections, bells across water, a general feeling of movement and the sometimes uncertain quality of vision as via a mirror.

The final concert of the year on Wednesday is with the French chanteuse Flossie Malavialle singing famous Edith Piaf numbers and songs by Jacques Brel, interspersed with her views on English and French cultures. Tickets are £10.

Irene MacDonald