Past Concert Series

The combination of an extra-special artist or ensemble with an inspiring piece of music can leave a lasting impression on the listener-----so much so, that I have sometimes been told “ That was the perfect combination for me, no-one else can match it.” Thinking back over the last ten years of Chamber Music performances in Belfast, I would like to offer the following as “the perfect combination.”
Matthias Goerne singing Beethoven and Schubert --- atmosphere, word-colouring and almost overwhelming personality.
Philippe Cassard and Friends playing Messiaen’s “Quartet for the end of Time”--- their understanding of the sorrow and horror of its creation and the impact on our audience. ( concert date 11th November 1999, in Belfast.)
Belcea Quartet playing Britten’s 3rd Quartet ---a youthful quartet playing with such understanding a profound piece associated with the end of Britten’s life.
The Lindsays---in their final season, playing Beethoven’s final quartet—a tour-de-force.
Christopher Maltman----a fine English baritone singing Butterworth’s songs.
Paul Lewis playing Schubert----time stood still for an enraptured audience.
Tasmin Little and Martin Roscoe, also Jennifer Pike and Philippe Cassard----passionate playing by extraordinary musicians.
Angela Hewitt playing Bach----details, balance of colours, love of the music shining through in her performance.
Szymanowski Quartet-----exciting personality and musicianship in their Ravel.

Looking back to concerts of fifty years ago, I am delighted to include comments from several long-standing supporters of BMS who remember the major stars of that time :
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau-----“truly a memorable recital---I still say the same.”
“Two outstanding recitals were those by Pierre Bernac with Francis Poulenc and
Benjamin Britten with Peter Pears--- I well remember the impact.”
-----and a forthright commendation to finish----“I owe a great debt to BMS, and pride of place must go to the Viola and Piano recital given by Lionel Tertis with Gerald Moore.”

Elizabeth Bicker