CONCERT OF NOTE

By Richard Wright - Friday, May 16, 2008
MUSIC
RICHARD Studt brought two friends — Michael Thompson and Tim Carey — for concerts of note.
The lunchtime and evening performances by Studt (violin), Thompson (horn) and Carey (piano) at St Catherine’s Church were critically acclaimed.
They played for the Island Concerts Ventnor Piano Fund, which aims to bring a first-class piano to Ventnor to help the town become a centre of musical excellence.
Studt played his Stradivarius, Thompson his Paxman of London horn and Carey the Steinway piano that is more than 100 years old and heading for retirement after sterling service.
Two of the composers whose works were included in the performances had Island connections, organisers said.
Elgar came to Ventnor for his honeymoon and the pop star of his day, Lizst, played at Ryde and Newport, travelling from Portsmouth in a gale that caused him to leave his piano behind, so he had to play on pub instruments, said Ventnor Piano Fund’s Anthony Churchill.
“Maybe, if there had been a Ventnor piano he would have returned — at least to the south of the Island,” said Mr Churchill.
He said the acoustic in the church was perfect for the trio.
“It is maybe the best on the Island and is perfect for such a virtuoso performance. We just hope Richard will bring two more of his internationally famous friends to play next year.
“Richard’s sprightly mother, who is 92, was in the front row for the first of the two performances ‘to make sure he didn’t play any wrong notes.’ ”

CONCERT OF NOTE

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