CLASSSICAL Cleveland's spring season opened with Spanish cellist Angela Zamorano Tardon accompanied by Lee Jae Phang of Malaysia.

To the delight of all, the concert attracted a near capacity audience of almost 80. The programme opened with Debussy's Cello Sonata in D minor. It took a little while to establish the optimum balance between the instruments.

In the first movement's molto risoluto section, perhaps the piano was a little too determined. However, by the third movement both musicians demonstrated an admirable lightness of touch. The piece features many types of extended cello technique and Tardon rose to the occasion with a fine display of technical mastery and virtuosity.

When the 17-year old Beethoven played his newly composed Seven Variations on Bei Mannernwelche Liebe fuhlen in the presence of Mozart, the great man commented: "Mark that young man, he will make himself a name". Tardon and Phang explored the musical contrasts to the full.

The delicacy of both piano and cello contrasted with the more dynamic passages perfectly. The programme ended with Chopin's Cello Sonata opus 65, a major work in four movements lasting about 30 minutes.

The cello's opening statement sets the theme that recurs throughout the work, and it was clear that Tardon and Phang enjoyed developing the theme and the resulting music as a partnership of equals.

Both are multi-award winning musicians who are continuing their musical development at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Lunchtime recitals at Stokesley Methodist Church are held on the first Thursday each month and the series continues on March 3 with pianist Sid Ramchander playing music by Schubert, Chopin and Scriabin. For details, search online for Classical-Cleveland.

Peter Sotheran