SeatonMusic hosted its last concert of the season on Thursday, March 22, which is reviewed here by Peter Dawson.

SeatonMusic hosted its last concert of the season on Thursday, March 22, which is reviewed here by Peter Dawson.

‘Amazing!’, ‘a fantastic concert’ were comments from members of the audience at SeatonMusic’s final concert of the 2017-18 season.

Principal flute of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Charlotte Ashton and critically acclaimed pianist William Vann gave a sparkling performance of works ranging from the Baroque through the 19th century to the present day.

Some of the works in their programme were written specifically to show off the range of the flute and flautists’ technique - Dutilleux’s 1943 piece for the Paris Conservatoire, contemporary British composer Edwin Roxburghe’s Stardrift (1992) – others for great flautists of their day – Poulenc’s Sonata for Flute and Piano, and Widor’s Suite for Flute and Piano.

Charlotte Ashton and William Vann showed why they are both award-winning musicians – breathtaking rapid articulation and sustained long phrases, dynamic contrasts and perfect balance between the two instruments had the Seaton audience spellbound.

As well as the fireworks there was humour – for example in Antonio Bazzini’s Dance of the Goblins (1847), a piece which again requires virtuoso playing.

There was an elegiac mood in Samuel Barber’s Canzone, and there was the elegance and inventiveness of the Baroque in Handel’s Sonata HWV 365 and CPE Bach’s Sonata in G major Hamburger.

This was an inspiration to many local musicians (especially flute players) in the audience and a truly a great conclusion to a very successful season for Seaton Music.

Seaton and The Gateway can be proud to be able to put on concerts of such star quality.

The next season (the 67th) starts on Thursday, October 18, when the Linos Piano Trio will play works by CPE Bach, Beethoven, Schumann and Ravel.

For details, visit at www.seatonmusic.org