WHEN David Quigley visited Kidderminster two years ago as guest of the Classical Music Society, I was most impressed by the confidence and style of this young pianist, and I eagerly awaited his return performance.
I was not disappointed as this so-talented young artiste is playing even better, showing a complete understanding and feel for the music.
The recital began with two sonatas by Scarlatti, getting the evening off to a light-hearted start, then we heard Haydn's "Variations in F Minor", where David captured all the moods perfectly.
I love Liszt music, when played properly, and "Vallee d'Obermann" was a triumph, David painting a picture of melancholy and emotion, and I would think was exhausted after this fantastic performance.
"Sechs Klavierstucke" by Brahms were varying, and I particularly enjoyed number two, the "Intermezzo in A major" where David really made the piano "sing", and number six, "Intermezzo in E flat minor" which I found almost hypnotised me.
The plaintive "Oiseaux Tristes" by Ravel was followed by the exciting Spanish rhythms of "Alborado del Gracioso", which looked extremely difficult to play.
One piece which raised great interest was the modern "Ho Hum Hill NH", written for David by Belfast-born Philip Hammond, who has also written music for such luminaries as James Galway, Ann Murray and Suzanne Murphy. Ho Hum Hill is a place in New Hampshire, USA, where the composer spent many holidays, and the piece represents an "American summer by the lake".
We were treated to an encore of "Prelude in G sharp minor" by Rachmaninov, to end a wonderful recital.
If critics are meant to "criticise", in this instance I cannot - I could not find fault with this performance, and look forward to a third visit by David in, I hope, the not-too-distant future. VJS.
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