COMPOSERS with close connections with the Three Counties were the central feature of this recital by Joanne Steel ('cello) and Duncan Honeybourne (piano).

Bantock lived in retirement in Barnt Green, Worcestershire, Moeran resided in Herefordshire for a number of years, Andrew Downes completed today's Sonata Opus 12 at Blakedown, Worcestershire, and Ivory Gurney spent his youth in Gloucestershire.

Joanne Steel opened the recital with Bantock's Sonata in G minor for solo cello, a very exposed piece. She never seemed to be at ease with her intonation, especially noticeable in the highest notes of the 'Cantabile sostenuto' movement.

Later, in her performance with Duncan Honeybourne of Bantock's Sonata No 2 in F sharp minor, which was its Festival Premier, her out-of-tune cello was very evident.

This was most unfortunate, as the strength of Honeybourne's piano playing emphasised the cello's weakness and general lack of panache and this is a work which deserves a first rate interpretation.

Honeybourne's pianist qualities varied: the pieces by Moeran were somewhat pedantic in style, with some over-pedalling and unnecessarily exaggerated effects; however, his Gurney Watercolours for solo piano had a delightful pastoral, idyllic quality, with nicely detailed phrasing and careful graduations of tone.

The high point of this recital was Honeybourne's performance of Andrew Downes's 'Sonata for piano Op. 12' (composed in 1976). An excellent piece with much variety - but pure music, no stunts!

Jill Hopkins