Classical review: Tunnell Trust 500th Concert, Linlithgow Academy

WITH the experience of 499 concerts under its belt, it was fairly safe to assume that the 500th concert of the Tunnell Trust was unlikely to disappoint.

In the event, Saturday’s celebratory evening hosted by Linlithgow Arts Guild exceeded expectations.

Set up to support emerging young professional musicians through offering performing experience in chamber music clubs the length and breadth of the country, the Tunnell Trust had a wealth of past recipients to draw on for its commemoratory programme.

Joined by the Trust’s artistic director and cellist, Jonathan Tunnell, the quartet for his choice of Brahms’ Piano Quartet in C minor wrung every last emotion from it in a passionately absorbing performance.

At times agonisingly raw-edged and poignant, at others pulsating with energy or exquisitely beautiful, it was a triumph not just for the players but for the chamber music scene that is the lifeblood of live music in Scotland.

First ever winners back in 1990, the Apollo Saxophone Quartet provided a lighter touch, their impression of Bulgarian open-throated folk singing transferring remarkably effectively to saxophones.

A specially written commissioned piece from John Woolrich still sounded too new, with its shifting tonal and rhythmic patterns not yet settled. Not so with the tight, funky, jazz rhythms of Barbara Thompson’s fabulous Saxophonic Movements.

Appearing first, the cello/piano duo of Philip Higham and Simon Lane were a well matched pair, intuitively allowing Beethoven’s G minor Sonata to grow into its upfront Rondo like a bud gently opening to flower.

Rating: ****