Luminita Berariu returned to Tenby after a busy year which included participating in the Edinburgh Festival and a three week tour of Thailand with the Romanian National State Opera and Ballet. Her piano recital given in St John's Church, Tenby on Friday, October 11 was a feast of musicianship for those brave enough to turn out in the worst weather for weeks.

Luminita is a star in the music world, as much loved here in Pembrokeshire as on the international scene, and her recital programme on Friday was well chosen for it's balance and gradual ascent to the dazzling Rachmaninov Sonata No.2 Op.36 finale.

The familiar Schubert Impromptu, Op.90,No.3 and delicate Elgar "In Smyrna" settled the listener well, showing us a pianist of outstanding accomplishment before she gave us the rarely heard Piano Suite No.2 in D Major Op. 10 by the Romanian composer Enesco.

The Suite was a delight of spine tingling sound pattern and colour, demanding fine tuned dexterity amidst changing rhythms and tempi. Lets have more of Enesco - its refreshing to hear.

In the second half of the programme, the Scriabin 5 Preludes Op.16 and 3 Preludes Op.35 gave an opportunity for quiet sensitivity and cantabile skills to be shown, with a firm intimation of the power awaiting us in the Rachmaninov. We got it, a Rachmaninov where intuitive understanding and minimalist rippling finger technique combined to give a breathtaking performance.

Luminita's interpretation of Russian passion, with it's wide ranging fortissimos and pianissimos was performed on a small sized upright piano. Congratulations Luminita - with such dynamic abilities you are a master pianist supreme.

As an encore, the simplicity of Brahms Waltz in A Flat Op.39, no.15 returned us gently to earth and we look forward to the Berariu Recital in London at the Dulwich Picture Gallery on Friday, October 18. Thanks go to Anthony and Rosemary Rhys-Davies for organising Luminita Berariu's programme in Britain this time. If you hear of a recital or master class by Berariu in the future, make sure you are there!

B.H.J.