In France, there is a proverb, if the young could know, if the old could do. It speaks of what sometimes seems an unbridgeable gap between the experience and knowledge that most often come with age, and the striving energy and dexterity of the young. In music, however, this crossing can be made, and with tremendous results. Such a thing happened in the recital given by Jamie Hutchinson (violinist) and John Wilson (pianist) at St. Mary's Church, Tenby, on Sunday. Having dedicated much of his life to teaching and performance, John 'retired' from his position of senior staff accompanist at the Royal Northern College of Music in the year 2004 and, as is sometimes the case with musicians, has been startlingly busy ever since. Jamie is in the early stages of her musical career. A recent graduate of the college, she is continuing with post-graduate studies, and gathering pace on the performance circuit. This recital was the first time that they had worked together, but their rapport and mutual admiration was tangible throughout the performance, and their partnership worked all the better for this. Jamie's playing glittered with verve and charisma, and John's rang with a subtle tone of authority. Jamie's character was perhaps most noticeable in the flickering motions of the first and last pieces - a rollicking 'Cossack Dance' for violin and piano by Timothy and Natasha Kraemer approached with an entirely appropriate ferocity, and 'Banjo and Fiddle' by William Kroll. John's was able to stand out in a lithe and sensitive reading of 'Andalza' by Granados, and a quietly commanding rendition of Chopin's 'Raindrop Prelude', both for solo piano. The 'substantial' work for the evening was Beethoven's F Major 'Spring' Sonata for violin and piano. In such an equal duet, the musicians' individual characters were able to coalesce, turning the work into a very real conversation between the two instruments. The programme also included two more contemplative items, a 'Consolation' for violin and piano written by Liszt and transcribed by Nathan Milstein and Medley of Welsh folk tunes arranged by Douglas Townshend, and transcribed by Jamie Hutchinson. After many votes of thanks, and extensive applause, Jamie and John came forward once more to give one final piece, the appropriately chosen Welsh folk song, Ar Hyd y Nos.

Andrew Cusworth