Lisney-Briggs Duo, Kendal Town Hall

NOT so many seasons ago, whenever Kendal Midday Concert Club presented a piano recital, I have the impression that audience attendance was not particularly high. Times have clearly changed, however, and when a famed piano duo - the Lisney-Briggs Duo - appeared as guests of the club, there were very few empty seats. It was a new venture, too: there has not been many piano duet concerts in the club’s history. Numerous new faces were to be seen in the audience and there was a pre- concert buzz of anticipation in the air.

The two pianists - Sarah Beth Briggs, a long-standing friend of the club, and James Lisney, making his début here, have long enjoyed individual international careers, but have been a duo for just a few seasons. Was the club’s venture a success? Most definitely, yes!

A duo is a different art form to that of a soloist: the pair must agree upon a variety of matters - of tempo, subtleties of phrasing, textural balance et al...and occasionally there will be the need for congenial compromise. When, however, two musicians of the calibre of Sarah and James combine their talents, success is guaranteed. Throughout their entire programme there was near-perfection in all aspects of their art.

In Hans Gál’s Three Marionettes the duo captured the essential humour of each piece - their delicate finger work and powerful chording alternating to great effect. Elegance and refinement was ever-present during their performance of Mozart’s Sonata, K521. Phrasing, cadence shapes, dynamic contrasts, creation of long, flowing melodic lines - all were presented with the greatest artistry.

Schubert’s Andantino varié D823, with its lovely contrasts of texture, saw the musicians in complete synchronisation. The recital’s highlight for me was the performance of Debussy’s Petite Suite. Sensitivity, delicacy, colour, atmosphere, tasteful rubato, spacious phrasing, keen observation of all details (particularly the dynamics); always were the two pianists listening, watching, breathing together, responding to every situation.

BRIAN PAYNES