WITH the Throne Room still unavailable, Bishop Auckland Music Society’s latest recital was again switched to the chapel where the flute and harp of Samantha Pearce and Heather Wrighton sounded quite at home.

Their wide-ranging programme naturally included a number of transcriptions with the harp especially taking on the role of guitar, harpsichord and even a full orchestra.

After a lovely opening Sicilienne by Faure, the duo played Bach’s Sonata No. 2, BWV1031 with the flute’s higher sustained notes in the famous second movement Siciliano very effective in the chapel acoustic.

Two contrasting movements from Astor Piazzolla’s Histoire du Tango were followed by Donizetti’s Sonata for Flute and Harp with a rather beautiful and wistful aria on the flute followed by a much chirpier second movement.

Andy Scott’s Sonata for Flute and Harp produced the greatest variety of sounds and effects from both instruments.

The second set opened with Mozart’s lovely Andante, K.315 but one of the most enjoyable pieces in the recital was Fürstenau’s Fantaisie which was a lovely showpiece for both instruments.

Ibert’s Entr’acte showed its flamenco guitar inspirations very readily, Joseph Jongen’s Danse Lente was a gentle lament and Godard’s Suite de trois morceaux showed off the flute in particular in its very contrasting movements.

The society’s next concert by pianist Mami Shikimori is on Friday, September 2; details online or from Brian Varley, telephone 01388 606075.

Peter Bevan