Rochdale Music Society Concert

With all the varied music making that goes on in Rochdale week by week, members of audiences must be privileged frequently to witness the burgeoning careers of performers who will later go on to make their names internationally. They may be involved in local ‘groups’ or ‘bands’, or featured as soloists in one or other of the regular series of concerts held in churches, chapels or coach houses up and down the borough. For the moment they are household names only for their families and friends and fellow artistes. In ten years time, perhaps, they will be recognised across the globe.

The Rochdale Music Society has a policy of positive discrimination in favour of up-and-coming performers of ‘classical’ music which can be seen in its annual series of subscription concerts covering the autumn, winter and spring seasons. From time to time, however, the Society proves this rule by offering an exception. Such was the case when the consummate artistry of violinist Leland Chen and pianist John Lenehan was put on display on March 21st in the Heywood Civic Centre, thanks in no small measure to the generous sponsorship of Mrs. Margaret MacFarlane.

It was an occasion for those present to be able to indulge their taste for everything that is best in the live performance of music written for such a combination of acoustic instruments and played by artistes who have long been sought after by audiences all over the world. There was to be no disappointment in this respect. For every note (and every silence) in their performance together was perfectly crafted to provide us with an experience of extraordinarily rare artistic accomplishment. As near perfect an aesthetic experience as is humanly possible.

An early Sonatina by Schubert provided a warmly inviting opening to the concert. We were then led into the fantastic and dazzling world of Debussy’s late Sonata, and confronted by the spectacle of a whirling Wianiaswki Polonaise. After the interval there was a momentary but lingering excursion into that enchanted glade where the Blessed Spirits of Gluck’s Orfeo dance and lament, before a return to the passionate warmth of Franck’s Sonata in A.

Rochdale Music Society’s season has still two more concerts to offer this season. On Saturday 21 April the Barbirolli Quartet will be playing music by Haydn, Bartók and Verdi. On Saturday 12 May there will be an evening of soloists and ensembles from Chetham’s School of music. For details please visit www.rochdalemusicsociety.org