This programme, in which Antony Brannick was joined by Jenny Sheldon on piano and David Leys on cello, was mainly by melodious Mendelssohn.
Antony Brannick and Jenny Sheldon opened with a feisty Tarantelle by Nikolai Rubinstein (opus 14). Some of Mendelssohn’s Songs without Words followed, David Leys joining Antony Brannick for the last one (opus 109).
Bizet’s piano duets “Jeux d’enfants” followed. These portrayals of childen’s games included one that sounded like a doll’s lullaby, the galloping of wooden horses set free, a proud trumpet and drum march, and the relatively well known, speedy “Galop” dance.
The second half was nearly all Mendelssohn. Antony Brannick gave an expressive performance of the “Andante cantabile e Presto agitato”. This was followed by the varying moods of the cello sonata in B flat major (Op 45), sensitively played by Antony Brannick and David Leys.
We thought it was all over, but the concert came to a rousing finish with Sousa’s Liberty Bell march, played as a piano duet.
There won’t be another of these concerts till January, so contact abrannick@garrattslaw.co.uk or phone 0161 665 3502 for the date.