(I. Allegro, II. Andante, III. Scherzo: Allegro Vivace, IV. Rondo: Allegretto)
Chopin Two Nocturnes Op 62
No. 2 in E Major
No. 1 in B Major
Szymanowski: Piano Sonata No. 1 in C minor, Op. 8
(I. Allegro Moderato; II. Adagio; III. Tempo di Minuetto; IV. Finale)
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It is difficult to believe that it is almost three years since Havilland Willshire last gave a piano recital in Middlewich. That omission has been rectified to great effect when he played for the first concert of the Middlewich and District Concerts Society’s 2013-2014 season.
The programme for the recital appeared to be slightly obscure, but, as always, there was logic behind the choice of repertoire. The first half was occupied by one of Schubert’s late sonatas, that in A major, D959. Of the three sonatas in the set this is the least performed, but it still had a great impact on the audience. After the interval he played the two Opus 62 nocturnes by Chopin. Again these were the last he composed and seldom performed. He finished with Szymanowski’s first sonata for piano, Opus 8. This was music full of melody and emotion, but another neglected piece, perhaps because of its immaturity. Havilland played a Chopin waltz as an encore to conclude an inspiring evening’s entertainment.