DARLINGTON Music Society presented cellist Jessica Ann Richardson and pianist Simon Callaghan in a particularly interesting and challenging programme which began with Beethoven’s Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 5, No. 2.

As the title indicates, this was one of the first sonatas to offer parity for the cello although a modern concert grand does tend to favour the piano part as it did here.

Despite this, Richardson demonstrated a warm tone in the lovely opening Adagio and bright and nimble playing in the Allegro.

In contrast, Joseph Phibbs’ recent Sonatine favours the cello with the piano often reinforcing the cello line and dropping out altogether at the end.

In a very accessible piece, I enjoyed raindrops of sound from the piano in the second movement alongside gentle, sustained lines from the cello and a slightly pensive, almost mournful, ending.

Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, with piano and cello more equally balanced, brought three brief and contrasting pieces in a warm and tuneful performance.

The highlight though was Rachmaninov’s lengthy Cello sonata which inevitably brought out the best in callaghan’s playing. I liked the distinctive, but interdependent roles for each instrument in the first movement, but in the sprightly Scherzo the cello could have done with greater projection, though the piece ended with sweeping bravura passages.

The Society’s final recital by the Jubilee Quartet is on Sunday, April 17; Details at dms.btck.co.uk or call 01325 467163.

Peter Bevan