REVIEW of Weymouth Sunday Concert, 29th November

at Weymouth Bay Methodist Church

Weymouth Sunday Concerts are always of the highest standard, generally featuring young musicians and often full of surprises.

Last Sunday’s stars were the Snowden-Sir Duo, a young award-winning pair of artistes in an unusual combination of violin and guitar.

Joo Yeon Sir, violin and Laura Snowden, guitar, delighted the audience with a varied programme, mostly modern and including their own compositions; Laura’s Five Impressions for violin and guitar, and Joo Yeon’s arrangement of the Paganini variations.

The opening work was Eugene Ysaye’s G minor (unaccompanied) violin sonata Op 27 ,

“Joseph Szigeti”, a magnificent performance of this highly dramatic and fiendishly difficult sonata, rarely heard live.

Both players performed most beautifully, perfectly synchronised, absolutely in tune, with great feeling and joy. They looked good too. And there were some wonderful harmonies….

After three more pieces by Mompou, Milla Ferramosca and Luke Fitzgerald, the concert finished with Manuel de Falla’s great Spanish Folk Song Suite, an inspiring work which always makes me want to try my hand at Strictly Come Dancing.

The next Sunday concert, on January 17th, is an organ recital with Duncan Honeybourne.

JANET FERRETT