An enthusiastic audience welcomed Katy Smith playing violin and Amy Butler playing the piano at the first concert of the 2025/2026 season. These young musicians gave a wonderful concert to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Ravel’s birth. There was a theme to the concert, all of the composers were linked to Ravel. For me there was also a sub-theme that caught my imagination and this was Elgar’s bow, more of which later in this Review.
The concert began with Romance opus 28 by Gabriel Fauré and he was Ravel’s teacher of composition from 1897 to 1903. The Romance is a very romantic and tuneful piece of music, Katy’s 18th century violin made by Nathaniel Cross has a lovely warm tone; Amy’s accompaniment on the piano was a delight.
The Violin Sonata No 2 by Ravel was next and it was influenced by the American jazz and blues. The first movement began in a smooth and lyrical way and then suddenly in the second movement there was dissonance on the violin and a heavy beat on the piano and this beat reminded me strongly of The Cold Song from Purcell’s King Arthur. Who knew that the violin could make sounds like that? In the third movement the piano was speaking and the violin replying and then at a speed, rather like a mad bumble bee. But I do have to admit that, whilst I admired the skill and virtuosity of both Amy and Katy, I did not warm to this sonata.
Next there was Vaughan Williams’, The Lark Ascending, this was composed in 1914 for violin and piano (according to Keith Osborne’s splendid Programme Notes). This was perfection! I cannot understand why this version is never heard. The link between Ravel and Vaughan Williams is that for three months in 1908 they were master and pupil and became lifelong friends.
After the interval we heard Edward Elgar’s Sonata for Violin and Piano in E minor, this was sheer magic and is where Elgar’s bow comes in, for it was used in this music. The tone on the violin became so all embracing; whilst Vaughan Williams takes you into the heavens, Elgar keeps you on the ground and so comfortable, I enjoyed also the serene virtuosity of Amy’s playing on the piano. I absolutely loved the sound made by the 18th century violin and Elgar’s bow – they complemented each other so perfectly.
The final piece in the concert was Ravel’s Tzigane (Gipsey) and what an exciting piece this was, a real wild ride and an equal music between piano and violin. What a great partnership we enjoyed this evening.
There was more to come. We had an encore and it was Elgar’s Capriccio and Katy used Elgar’s bow again and this beautiful music that was played so well and elegantly, finished off a concert that was enjoyed by us all. In fact, one of our members commented that this concert out of all those he had been to at the Club was by far the best. Praise indeed.
To end, just a bit more about Elgar’s bow. I was privileged to have a good look at it and Katy told me a little about it and I looked it up on line afterwards as well. The bow was made by Tubbs of London and presented to Elgar as a 21st birthday gift. It is inscribed EWE on the ferule and “presented by the Worcester Amateur Instrumental Society June 1878” on the adjuster.
CM