I have often in the past when reviewing such concerts complained about the inaudibility of the harpsichord. On this occasion, the single-manual harpsichord used, although an improvement on what we’ve heard before, was not up to fulfilling its role as an equal partner with the violin .

My two other grumbles concern the programming. Composers use a variety of keys to maintain interest. The first six pieces, nearly an hour’s duration, were all in the same key, which gave an enervating sameness to the listening experience. The change of keyboard player brought a change of programme. Instead of the promised aperitif, two snappy Scarlatti sonatas, we were given a main course, a Bach English Suite, (the longest work by far in the evening) which sabotaged the effect of the concluding Bach duo sonata that followed. Marvellous stuff maybe, but the wrong music in the wrong part of the programme.

So now for the good news. Rachel’s use of vibrato is very sparing yet she produces a lovely sweet tone, totally avoiding the scrawniness that affects less skilled players and her rhythmic response is sprightly. Much of the music played in the earlier part of the programme is fairly sketchy on the page and needs embellishing and her improvisatory approach was magical. She was able to invest the more speculative pieces at the start of the evening with real meaning. It was fascinating to follow the growing compositional mastery throughout the evening with both players relishing the climactic genius of J.S.Bach at the end.

G.K.