This concert was held in the Royal Overseas League with the performers having won awards from that organisation. As a mixed bill the quality varied across the programme. We were first introduced to a selection of Brahms songs by Abraham Singer accompanied by Timothy End. At times, Singer struggled with the higher registers of the songs and the overall effect was not helped by the atmosphere of the room. Next came Schumann’s Fantasiestuck with Sarah Beaty on the clarinet, accompanied by End. While there was a chemistry between the two performers, which was most apparent in the responsive sections of the second movement, the overall effect was disappointing. Her playing has far too much movement which is distracting, the rising sections particularly looked more like snake charming. Singer then returned for five Schumann songs which were much more suited to his voice and End’s accompaniment was unobtrusive throughout.Martin Cousin, a late replacement for Yasmin Rowe, delivered the fourth section. To start, a Schumann Adagio and Allegro with Yelian He on cello. This had a vibrant warmth and romance that heated the previously cool room. The Allegro was particularly infectious and invited us to partake in the enjoyment that they were clearly deriving from performing together. This had a maturity and depth that the earlier sections had lacked. The concert closed with Cousin playing various Brahms piano pieces. The joy of playing in the second capriccio was special to behold, the audience were purring by the end of the next Intermezzo and the applause at the end of the finale was rapturous. This part of the concert was the best thing that I have seen at this year’s Fringe. If you get a chance to see Martin Cousin, take it.
