The first lunch-time concert of the Tenby Arts Festival in St. Mary's Church on Monday should have had Llyr Williams (who has been selected as the official accompanist for next year's National Eisteddfod in St. Davids) accompanying Adam Green, baritone. On Sunday, it was discovered that Llyr had contracted chicken pox and so his place was filled by Anna Tilbrook who drove through the night from Suffolk to save the recital - it was well worth the drive.
Green has a fine classical baritone voice, and from the opening bars of Schubert's romantic 'Schwanengesang' one might have well assumed that Tilbrock and he had been rehearsing for weeks. The balance between voice and piano was absolutely perfect and the melancholic mood alternated with the bright jollity of 'Das Fischermädchen'.
Tilbrook then played a solo: Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu, executing it with seemingly effortless grace and virtuosity.
The first half ended with Ravel's 'Don Quichotte a Dulcinée' - three songs employing typically Spanish syncopations and subtle rhythms, a minefield for the unwary accompanist. Again they performed as one, with aplomb, concluding with lively 'Jota', an Aragonese drinking song.
The second half began with Grieg's 'Wedding Day at Troldhagen' for solo piano - the Steinway enjoyed itself as did the audience with swinging cross-rhythms cutting across the bar: a very dextrous touch has this pianist.
The concluded with Finzi's setting of several poems by Thomas Hardy - 'Earth and Air and Rain'. These deeply reflective songs are a supreme test of the vocalist's range and maturity, and so it was no surprise to learn that Green has recently been a soloist in Bach's 'B Minor Mass' in Ripon and in Brahm's 'Requiem' in the Royal Albert Hall with Sir David Willcocks. He has a natural, unassuming manner which belies his disciplined technique and powerful dramatic delivery.
Watch out for both Adam Green and Anna Tilbrook whose professional careers are just getting under way.
Well done Tenby Arts Festival for inviting them.
A.R.D.