Toad Lane Concerts: Margaret Ferguson soprano and Jonathan Ellis piano

Margaret Ferguson soprano and Jonathan Ellis piano

These two dynamic performers light up the concert room with music wherever they appear. They brightened up a very grey day at Toad Lane Concerts at St Mary in the Baum, Rochdale on Wednesday 16 October.

Margaret came to the UK on a scholarship from Ghana for higher study at the Royal Northern College of Music and later at the European Mozart Academy in Poland. Now based in the north west she also directs the Manchester Gospel Choir and teaches Ghanaian drumming, singing and dancing.

After starting to learn the piano at the age of three, Jonathan Ellis studied at Wells Cathedral School and moved on to the joint music course of the Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester University, graduating first-class from both institutions. There he gained higher diplomas and prizes as a soloist, accompanist, and chamber musician.

Both consummate artistes, they make ideal partners, together amply filling the acoustic at St Mary in the Baum; Jonathan’s inspiring playing fully supporting Margaret’s expressive, commanding resonant voice, and charismatic personality. Regulars for several years, this was a welcome return.

Margaret’s programme reflected her breadth of musical styles. Two finely focused arias by Mozart and Pie Yesu by Rutter were followed by sumptuous songs by Schubert and Brahms.

As well as accompanying superbly, Jonathan also contributed a piano solo, the beautiful Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni.

Then we had the simple but effective Love Me Little, Love Me Long by GA MacFarren contrasted with O Lieb by Franz Liszt, which could be described as a virtuoso piano piece with a soprano obbligato, but their interpretation made it much more than that.

Their finale consisted of light numbers, Little Things Mean a Lot, Love's Old Sweet Song, and I Have Confidence from The Sound of Music by Rodgers & Hammerstein. We all had confidence that whenever these artists appear we will always be delighted.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

To see details of forthcoming Toad Lane Concerts, click here.

Dr Joe Dawson