Alice Neary (cello), Sophia Rahman (piano): Richard Strauss Cello Sonata, Op. 6 (1881); Franz Schmidt Fantasy Pieces after Hungarian National Melodies (1892); Richard Strauss Don Quixote finale, Op. 35 (1898)
This was a delightful short recital to accompany a relaunching of the UK Richard Strauss Society, a meeting which included a number of prominent experts e.g. Prof Laura Tunbridge from Oxford University. I had not come across the names of these two musicians before but they both have had, and are having, notable careers. Ms Neary also works with orchestras, and in a question-and-answer session after the performance was talking about leading the cello section as a guest principal for the ROHCG orchestra under Pappano for the performances of Elektra in early 2024 ,and the enormous complexity of Strauss’ orchestral writing.
The Cello Sonata is a very early work, unfamiliar to most – it has elements of Brahms and Schumann but occasionally you can hear glimpses of the later Strauss, particularly in the work’s lighter moments. It is – well – let’s say intermittently engaging. Schmidt’s two Hungarian-folk works were very charming. The playing in the arrangement for cello and piano of the final movement of Don Quixote was glorious and really gave light and colour to a very gloomy rain-washed afternoon in North London.
John's musical journey 