Michael Bochmann and Michael Blackmore gave their violin and piano recital to coincide with the current piano holiday, based at St Edmund's Hall, College Road.

Schubert's melodic Sonata in A Duo D574 got the concert off to a cheerful start, followed by the climax of the evening, Sonata in A major by Cesar Franck.

In the first Allegro, the musicians achieved a beautiful yearning effect through the luminous haze of haunting harmonies and diaphanous melody. Pianissimo playing was stunning.

Both were virtuosos in the second movement as passion and pensive beauty were blended, while in the third the ravishing eloquence of the violin and piano showed them as an outstanding partnership.

The closing Allegretto was jubilant within the finely structured harmony of a canon.

Brahms's Scherzo in C minor was delivered with fiery enthusiasm, while short pieces including Elgar's Chanson de Matin, Kreisler in folk-song and tempestuous mood, and a thoughtful Elegy by Paradies completed this enjoyable recital.

Jill Hopkins