Despite the cold weather, Breinton was the hottest place in Woking on Sunday! The duo's performance of 20th century compositions by Kodaly, Bartok and Ravel exploded as a full blast.

I really feel I don't have many comments about a performance that was executed to such perfection and everyone's satisfaction. Matthew and Guy's collaboration of Kodaly and Ravel was just astonishing. Up front, Matthew said the Kodaly Duo for Violin and Cello was not an easy piece to listen to. Sure, it was rather complicated and not straight forward with some unpleasant sounding notes, and certainly not one I would choose to listen to when sitting comfortably with my morning cup of coffee!

But how fascinating and inspiring it was. As soon as the powerful beginning of the first movement started, everybody was glued to and intrigued by it. Prior to playing, Matthew jokingly said that Guy had described this Duo as 'œcello music with violin accompaniment', but it had plenty of beautiful violin passages with which Matthew displayed and showed off his ability to the full. The dialogue between the two instruments throughout was perfect. Needless to say, Guy"s technique was amazing; I"m sure this Kodaly piece is highly demanding both technically and artistically, but no sweat, he played it ever so naturally and made it look very easy!

I so much enjoyed Ravel"s Sonata too. Among all four movements, my favourite is the second movement (Tres Vif). I found it manipulative and captivating, and the duo"s playing was exactly that. That amazing pizzicato gave me full pleasure. I loved the exchanges between the two instruments, the way a melody was played by the violin and background pizzicato by the cello, and vice versa. Their playing was powerful, playful, and colourful. And they were totally in sync.

On top of these two pieces, Guy played Bach"s Suite No. 1 for Cello and Matthew played Tempo di Ciaconna from Bartok"s Sonata for Solo Violin. Both were superbly performed and what a bonus for everyone. It was as if my dream had come true too, as I love both of these works.

I truly feel privileged to have had Matthew and Guy performing right in front of our eyes, up so close! This rare combination of violin and cello gave me true sensation. Matthew and Guy are amazing musicians '“ I want the whole world to know! I don"t have to go on and on about how talented and skilled they are, do I? They were fully engaged and focused, and totally dedicated to communicate their interpretation through to us audience. I think all our members who were present at the recital would agree with me. Bravissimo to both!

Programme

  • Johann Sebastian Bach: Suite for solo cello no 1 in G BWV 1007
  • Zoltan Kodaly: Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7
  • Bela Bartok: Ciacconna from The Sonata for Solo Violin Sz. 117, BB 124
  • Maurice Ravel: Sonata for Violin and Cello, Op. 73

About Matthew Trusler

Hailed by The Times as 'œan authentic, though British, virtuosoMatthew Trusler graduated from Philadelphia"s Curtis Institute of Music in 1998. Following the release of Matthew"s disc '“ Blues '“ The Daily Telegraph declared that "Trusler assumes the Heifetz (and Perlman) mantle with ease". A passionate lover of the style and approach to violin playing during the Heifetz era, Trusler performs with one of Heifetz"s bows, given to him by Herbert Axelrod (who himself received it from Heifetz). Trusler has a particular affinity for the composers of that period, receiving much acclaim for his performances of concertos by Walton, Berg, Britten, Prokofiev and Korngold.

Matthew Trusler holds a teaching post at the Malmö Academy in Sweden and lives in Paris with his wife and young daughter. He plays a 1711 Stradavarius. Read Matthew's full biography.

About Guy Johnston

Guy Johnston has become a fast-rising star on the international concert stage after making an extraordinary debut in London at the BBC Proms where he played the Elgar Cello Concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Leonard Slatkin.

Born in 1981, Johnston began cello lessons at the age of five. He studied with Steven Doane at the Eastman College of Music in Rochester, New York and subsequently continued his studies with Steven Isserlis at IMS Prussia Cove and Ralph Kirshbaum in the UK. Awards include winner for the BRIT award for Best British Newcomer in 2002, BBC's Young Musician of the Year in 2000 as well as Shell/LSO Gerald Macdonald Prize, Musicians Benevolent Fund Award and Suggia Gift. He is also regularly heard on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM. Read Guy's full biography.