Chamber Music

 

‘Excellent ensemble always prevailed, and there was a marked feeling for style. Close empathy with great care for detail coupled to graceful execution, resulted in an extremely satisfying account.’

‘The achievement of the players and the success of the evening can be judged by the fact that what was perhaps the most familiar piece (‘La fille aux cheveux de lin’) sounded as if it was written precisely for this combination.’ Debussy Preludes

‘…it has clearly become a favourite and they revelled in its wild and syncopated rhythms, delighting both themselves and the audience.’ Watson Aegean Dances

‘What a great opportunity to hear this talented trio. As well as some familiar pieces, there were also some which were new and I found Cuatro Danzas Sibilinas by Eduardo Angulo particularly enjoyable. We were also very interested in the workings of a concert harp shown to us by Jenny Broome. I hadn't realised that it had six pedals, each having three positions. How lucky we are that GAF provides us with such entertainment on our own doorsteps. This again showed how superb the acoustics in the chapel are for small scale chamber groups.’

‘It is lovely to know that you enjoyed us, almost as greatly as we did you! It was a glorious afternoon, beautiful music perfectly played. A wonderful combination of instruments - and what repertoire. A joy to hear the modern composers and a pleasure to meet Edward Lambert, not to mention yourselves. We look forward to next time!’

Sample Programmes      A        B        C  

 

‘...fantastic....beautiful performance.’

‘The best [concert] we’ve ever had!’

‘Facing each other and holding two magnificent instruments, they began a programme of French music...La Cathedrale Engloutie brought out the best of the esoteric chime like sounds of the two harps...it called for delicate note production, which the two harpists managed to execute neatly. Cesar Franck’s Prelude, Fugue, Variation, allowed for plenty of give-and-take between the two players which they handled with skill and imagination. Helena de Rijke, obviously a very experienced and subtle harpist, often handled the bass lines showing great attention to detail and Jenny Broome had many opportunities to show her skill at melody and harmony....Andres’ Cortege et Danse, another exercise in atmospherics, portrayed a cortege approaching slowly and segueing into dance. I’m not too sure about the likelihood of such an occurence, unless it was for a New Orleans funeral but it was all exquisitely played.’
Newbury Weekly News

 

‘Much appreciated…the audience were delighted with the concert which I myself enjoyed tremendously’ Buckingham Festival Committee

‘Frances Mason, évidemment très sollicité, fait valoir un style plein d’élégance et une sonorité bien charnue.’ Répertoire [“Frances Mason, clearly very persuasive, presents a style full of elegance and a full-bodied tone."]

‘The work could not have had a more persuasive soloist than Frances Mason whose graduation of tone colour and sensitive phrasing enhanced her reputation as an outstanding interpreter of 20C music.’ ( V Irkanda IV Sculthorpe.) Glasgow Herald.

‘Frances Mason played with wonderful intensity and beauty of tone.’ Guardian

‘Frances Mason is a violinist whose notes were as pure as silk against the orchestral texture. Most of all it was the cadenzas that revealed her talent,there was no hint of roughness nor of mere exhibitionism but a smooth flow of sound that effectively concealed the difficulties with which they abound.’ (Beethoven Concerto) Scotsman.

‘So extremely beautiful and varied, with wonderful descriptions of the context…Lovely concert with most interesting introductions…. Enjoyed it immensely…. Fantastic performance – Looking forwards to next year…Absolutely marvellous….Fabulous…’
Audience reaction from Harp on Wight concert.

Sample Programmes      A        B        C  

‘The playing throughout was beautifully skilled and sensitive, and the church acoustic added its customary brilliance, although also its slight attenuation beyond the baffle of the western tower arch.’ ‘...a happy and memorable evening.’

 

‘The harp sparkled….ethereal was a word I heard bandied about’ (Hilser Ensemble)

‘The trio made light of a series of ever faster rhythmic complexities, finally bringing the piece to a brilliant ending’ (Concerto Cubico)

‘Next on the horizon was the harp, in the hands of Jenny Broome…driven by her immense experience and professionalism…the harp was truly orchestral’ (Concerto Cubico)