Lunchtime Diversions

A joy of life in Hove and Brighton is that, most days of the week, there is a lunchtime concert. Word has spread about these, there is a regular audience for familiar items - and many surprises.

Yesterday saw the return of Luca Luciano to All Saints' on The Drive in Hove, where, as a noted clarinetist he performed as a duo with pianist Yuki Osedo while sunlight burnished the magnifcent light-stone interior now over a century old. Arrangements of Schumann were followed by works of his own, some inspired by twentieth-century composers, and a high point was an arrangement of John Coltrane's affecting "Naima". He has a new disc, mostly solo clarinet, and very diverting its half hour proved  to be as the day turned later into a cooler evening.

And today, at the blaze of noon, the scene changed to New Road in Brighton where, at the Unitarian chirch, a less ornate but equally pleasing establishment, there was as good an audience for the Brighton Chamber Ensemble some of whom also perform as the Keleth Trio. And here were three revelations: local composer John Hawkins's Blakean piece Urizen for viola and piano was followed by Shostakovich's first piano trio. His second, wartime trio is a masterpiece, but there is great charm to its youthful predecessor. Also written at seventeen was the first movement of a quartet by Mahler. Its opening notes, one might reasoably fancy, bring to mind the pensive opening of the Adagio from his Fifth symphony.