Xing Wang and friends
Schubert: Sonata for piano and violin in A, D.574, “Grand Duo”
Schumann: Piano Quintet in E flat, Op. 44
Xing Wang (piano), Xin (James) Jin and Haihong Liu (violins), Zhongxian Jin (viola), Robert Ibell (cello)
St Andrew’s on The Terrace
Wednesday, 11 February 2015, 12.15pm
An attractive programme brought a good-sized audience to the first St. Andrew’s lunchtime concert for 2015. Many people are grateful to the church and to Marjan van Waardenberg, for providing so many
marvellous concerts.
Unfortunately, another engagement meant that I was able to hear only the Schubert in its entirety. The opening allegro moderato of the sonata featured very lively, bright playing, as did the scherzo: presto that followed. The andantino slow movement displayed gorgeous tone from the violin, while the allegro vivace finale was executed with brilliance by both performers.
It was pleasing to have very full programme notes for the two works. As the programme note for the Schubert stated, the sonata exhibited ‘…rich and beautiful melodic inventions, subtle harmonic colourings, and Viennese dance elements.’ There was much hard work for Xin Jin to do in this work, but all was carried off with accuracy and sureness of intonation and expression.
The Schumann piano quintet promised much from the robust, joyful opening of the allegro brillante first movement that I heard. Later I was told that it continued in the same warmly expressive vein, and that the cello playing of Robert Ibell was particularly noteworthy.
The concerts now continue on Wednesday lunchtimes without a break; much interesting music is promised over successive weeks. Look up St. Andrew’s website, www.standrews.org.nz, and go to the ‘Coming Events’ listings.