SATURDAY
21 JULY 2018
Waking
to the sound of sheep has to be the best part of living in the country. For the
first time in goodness only knows, a late wakening seems no longer a guilty
pleasure but something well earned, Looking out through my loft window, for
miles as the eye can see, there were no high rise buildings, telephone poles,
no sound of railways or flying planes; this must be heaven on earth. Neil and
Debbie, this beats Bukit Damai by far, you lucky devils!
Florian
Mitrea Piano Recital
12
noon, Leconfield Hall
Neil
has been receiving instruction from the young Romanian pianist Florian Mitrea,
faculty member at the Royal Academy and multiple prizewinner at many
international piano competitions. Despite the travails of the hall’s Boston
grand piano (the hall really should invest in a proper Steinway), Florian does
not disappoint.
In
a programme consisting of all minor key works, Haydn provided a light start.
His Sonata in E minor had both wit and seriousness in equal measure.
Then came the more heavy-duty Mozart Sonata in A minor (K.310) and
Mitrea took it at a less hectic pace which people are more accustomed to, and
that was refreshing. The Rondo in A minor (K.511) was slightly faster
than expected but in truth, one should not drag out this gem too much.
Ironically this “simple” work gave him the most challenges, both technically
and interpretively, but this was still a good reading.
As if to prove his
virtuoso credentials, the Prokofiev Third Sonata in A minor showed he
could mix it in with the best of them, but here the clattery and
less-than-responsive piano let his brilliant fingers down. His encore was
marvelous: Schubert’s Hungarian Melody in B minor played with the right
lilt and charm.
At
lunch we were joined at the historic Angel Inn by the Chinese pianist Ji Liu
and his family. Ji had just played a recital two nights ago at St Mary’s
Church, and by all accounts, it was brilliant. I had hear his latest CD, titled
Fire and Water, and there was much to recommend about it.
 |
| The lovely walk on cobbled road to St Mar's Church in Petworth. |
Come
Sing With Abba
3
pm, St. Mary’s Church
This
was a do-it-yourself Abba song concert featuring community singing, led by
chorusmaster Ben Parry and his band. Imagine going to church and be handed a
song sheet which had neither Amazing Grace, Abide With Me nor When
I Survey The Wondrous Cross on it, but Dancing Queen, Money Money
Money and Mamma Mia instead, this is what you get. The chorus,
seated in the pews, had been earlier coached by Parry on the parts and this
song concert was the result. The irrepressible Parry led the flock, with Freya
Parry (his wife or sister?) providing the solo singing and touch of glamour.
So
this is what the Church of England has come to. To pack the masses in, drop the
liturgy and frocks, bring on the flair and Thank You For The Music.
Needless to say, it was lively and upbeated, definitely helped by some
sixty-somethings attired in sequinned outfits, bell-bottomed pants and blonde
wigs. If you weren’t clapping along and transfixed with a wide smile, you’d be
better off attending a Pollini or Perahia concert.
 |
| It's true that blondes have more fun! |
Min
Kym Violin Recital
with
Ian Brown, Piano
7.30
pm, Champs Hill Music Room
Now
I’ve been a huge fan of Champs Hill Records for some years (and have reviewed
more of their recordings in the pages of The Straits Times than any
other indie label besides Hyperion), and have always wanted to visit the famous
Music Room of Champs Hill estate, which serves as both concert and recording
venue. Its a small but intimate venue, with three walls plastered with classic
paintings, the perfect setting for the enjoyment of great music. Its spacious
grounds and gardens are littered with sculptures, surrounded by flowers and
wooded greenery, and it already feelis inspiration by just being there.
Min
Kym (or Min Jin Kim) is already well-known, having penned a best-selling book
called Gone, about the trials and tribulations of growing up as a Korean
child prodigy, and the added stress of having your Stradivarius nicked right
under your nose. She produces a lovely sound in Brahms’ First Sonata in
G major (Op.78) and truly comes into her own in Bartok’s First Rhapsody
where she literally tears into the music without fear or trepidation. In
Faure’s soaring First Sonata in A major, her lyricism and agility are in
full flow, with pianist Brown scrambling to catch up. The reading was not
perfect, but it had lot of heart.
Imagine
the surprise when it came to autograph time. I had one CD (Gone the
album) for Kym to sign and 23 sleeves for the vastly experienced Brown on those
wonderful Nash Ensemble recordings collected over the decades. And I also got
to meet Lady Mary Bowerman, the owner of Champs Hill itself. And there is no
better place to buy Champs Hill recordings from Champs Hill itself!
 |
| Meeting Lady Bowerman, owner of Champs Hall. |
SUNDAY
22 JULY 2018
Les
adieux
And
there is no better way than to wake up to the sound of migratory geese. And
they are right outside in the fields of Parkhurst House together with the
sheep. Alas, two days were far too short to do justice to the treasures of the
Petworth Festival. I had barely scratched the surface, and have not even
stepped into the National Trust listed Petworth House, home of the Leconfields,
nor ventured beyond the Petworth itself. More pleasures await. That means
another visit, hopefully a longer one, is in order for the near future. As I
return to London, my heartfelt thanks go to Neil Franks and his family for his
hospitality, generosity and friendship.
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