THE third in the series of Classical Music Society recitals featuring artistes from Birmingham Conservatoire was, as always, of a very high standard.

Previous concerts in the series featured pianist David Quigley, and a wind trio called "No Strings Allowed", so this violin-piano duo was totally different, but they certainly provided another memorable evening.

The artistes obviously enjoyed their music immensely, David especially appearing to be having a great time, and this feeling spilled over to the audience. I even enjoyed the Mozart item, and he is far from my favourite composer.

In Mozart's Sonata for Piano and violin in E Flat, David made the violin sing, playing with such feeling, and Robert's accompaniment was brilliant.

We next heard a much more modern piece - Copland's Sonata for violin and piano, which must have been extremely difficult to play. They performed this very well, though I was not enamoured of the music.

For me the highlight of the evening was always going to be the adaptation of the adagio from Bruch's wonderful Violin Concerto no I in G minor, which brought out the very best in the Mantegazza violin, made in 1786, and loaned to David by the Conservatoire. Taking the place of an orchestra, Robert's piano accompaniment was at times amazing.

Beethoven's Sonata no 10 in G major was an absolute triumph - so good that the audience wanted to applaud between movements! I particularly enjoyed the second movement, the dreamy adagio espressivo, which was played so gently.

A short, but very sweet, "Intermezzo" by Schumann, was played as an encore, its lilting melody bringing a wonderful, and relaxing, evening of music to the perfect close. The Classical Music Society consistently presents first class artistes in its Live at the Library series, and this recital was another success. VJS.