A breathtaking performance

By PATRICK EAVIS

Published at 07:43, Wednesday, 13 February 2013

JAMES Gilchrist, one of Britain’s finest tenors, was the guest soloist at Hexham and District Music Society’s latest concert in the Queen’s Hall last Friday.

The first half comprised English songs by Quilter, Warlock, Gurney and Bridge, and culminated in a superb account of Vaughan Williams’ song cycle On Wenlock Edge.

James Gilchrist was at his best: sensitive, clear and often breathtaking.

Anna Tilbrook on piano and the Puertas String quartet supported him with sensitivity and subtlety, qualities they carried to their excellent performance of Elgar’s A minor piano quintet.

Altogether this was an outstanding concert.

Patrick Eavis

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk