Beth Stone

Beth Stone and Daniel Murphy are a duo called Flutes and Frets. They gave a recital this afternoon in Corbridge Parish Church.

The programme started in the Renaissance and moved through Baroque to the present day. I was very impressed with they way they moved from one period to another and one instrument to another quite seamlessly and without lots of fussy tuning.

Beth produces a gorgeous tone on all the instruments.

The concert was only an hour so that was much better for Margret, who still found the outing very tiring.

I dashed home for a meal then returned for the Festival Finale.

My good friend, Tracy, clarinettist, was there. Toby, a violinist, who qualified with me was also present. It was lovely to see them and to have chats with the musicians before and after the concert.

Alice Neary used to be the ‘cellist with the Goulds, but left a few years ago to concentrate on playing nearer to home and bringing up her family. It was very good to see her and hear her wonderful, sensitive playing, (We miss her.)

The evening concert was sparkling. It opened with Richard Strauss’ Piano Quartet. The gorgeous Gary Pomeroy of the Heath Quartet was the viola player. His playing is very good and he is also rather lovely to look at. (A much older lady than I confided to me that she rather fancied him!)

Then we heard Mozart’s Sonata for Four Hands, K381. He wrote this when he was 16! Lively and cheerful.

The last piece was the Grand Septet in Bb major by Berwald for wind and strings.

I was in the front row and able to see Lucy Gould’s music. Some of the musicians have gone electronic and it saves anxiety provoking page turns.

So, the festival is over for another year. I must try to go to everything next year.

AND the Lionesses won on penalties (someone told me in the toilet queue!)