THE opening recital was given by pianist Susan Tomes, with a strong programme of Haydn (the Variations in F minor), Schumann (Kreisleriana) and Debussy (two pieces from the second book of Preludes).
Ms Tomes is an able pianist but, interpretatively, the points she chose to make, and the aspects of a particular piece she chose to highlight, leapt at the listener disproportionately rather than invitingly.
The main evening concert opened with Beethoven's early Quintet for piano and wind (Hugh Tinney with Matthew Manning, oboe, Romain Guyot, clarinet, Stephen Stirling, horn, and Julie Price, bassoon). This work is an outgoing piece and was played in suitably outgoing style.
This was followed by an impassioned performance of Smetana's Quartet in E minor (From my Life) by the RTE Vanbrugh Quartet.
The late-night slot was given over to the Chilingirian Quartet's performance of the Third String Quartet of Benjamin Britten.
