Hugh Mackay & Julian Chan -
Cello & Piano
13th February 2025
Grimsby
Concert
Society
was
privileged
to
present
two
fine
young
musicians,
who
performed
with
a
maturity
and
accomplishment
that
belied
their
years.
Whilst
Julian
Chan
spoilt
himself
on
the
magnificent
Steinway
piano,
Hugh
Mackay
made
do
with
a
piece
of
Italian
lumber
-
a
Gagliano
cello
that
was
apparently
made
in
a
hurry
in
1730,
from
which
Hugh
produced
not
a
sound,
but
rather
an
experience
-
enhanced
by
the
wonderful acoustics of the Assembly Room at Grimsby Town Hall.
The
talent
of
this
duo
and
quality
of
playing
was
underscored
in
the
definitive
opening
to
the
Prologue
of
Debussy’s
Cello
Sonata
in
D
-
the
lush
resonance
of
the
cello
against
a
perfect
pianissimo
from
the
piano.
Hugh
began
the
Serenade
with
a
pizzicato
opening
followed
by
rich
lower
bass
notes.
Throughout,
Julian
maintained
a
perfect
dynamic
balance
ensuring
that
the
quietest
notes
and
harmonics
from
the
cello
would
always
be
heard
at
the
back
of
the
hall.
Hugh
was
clearly
living
the
music
as
the
piece
progressed
without
a
break
into
an
exciting
scherzo-like
Finale,
full
of
character.
Whilst
the
music
may
be
well
written,
it
is
to
be
fully
enjoyed
when
performed by two such fine musicians as on this occasion.
Beethoven’s
Cello
Sonata
in
F,
was
mischievously
described
by
Hugh
as
a
piano
sonata
with
cello
accompaniment.
This
contained
wonderful
exchanges
between
the
instruments;
Mozart
influences
could
be
heard
in
florid
and
demanding
piano
runs,
punctuated
by
distinctive
Beethoven
chord
strikes.
Superb
musicianship
and
ensemble
was
enjoyed
in
the
first
movement,
from
the
subtle
spiccato
on
the
cello
and
from
Julian’s
utilization
of
the
full
dynamic
range
of
the
Steinway
-
fortissimo
to
pianissimo
.
As
the
pair
entered
the
second
movement,
they
seemed
to
intimate
that
they
had
just
warmed up as they brought out the humorous and playful nature of the Allegro vivace.
Hugh
was
clearly
in
the
moment
as
he
performed
Birtwistle’s
brooding
Lied
,
like
a
journey
of
personal
discovery,
the
lines
of
thought
punctuated
by
piano
discords.
An
all
too
short
melodic
section
was
followed
by
a
rhapsodic
piano
interlude
and
then
an
intense
cello
solo
leading
to
a
sweet
conclusion
as
both
parts
united.
An
uncannily
timed
low
rumble
from
a
passing
vehicle
provided
the
perfect
segue
into
Frank
Bridge’s
Cello
Sonata
in
D.
Both
instruments
provided
a
sublime
intensity
and
colour
in
the
Allegro
–
Hugh
“breathing”
the
notes;
Julian
powerful
and
delicate.
The
second
movement,
of
three
phases,
was
marked
by
a
wonderful
ebb
and
flow
between
gentle
and
delicate
sections,
fast
passages,
intense
and
loud
moments.
Two
virtuosic
players,
their
skills
perfectly
combined
to
entrance
their
audience.
Hugh
&
Julian
delighted
the
audience
with
an
encore
-
the
third
piece
from
3
Pieces
for cello and piano, Nadia Boulanger.
IM
Hugh Mackay & Julian Chan -
Cello & Piano 13th February 2025
Grimsby
Concert
Society
was
privileged
to
present
two
fine
young
musicians,
who
performed
with
a
maturity
and
accomplishment
that
belied
their
years.
Whilst
Julian
Chan
spoilt
himself
on
the
magnificent
Steinway
piano,
Hugh
Mackay
made
do
with
a
piece
of
Italian
lumber
-
a
Gagliano
cello
that
was
apparently
made
in
a
hurry
in
1730,
from
which
Hugh
produced
not
a
sound,
but
rather
an
experience
-
enhanced
by
the
wonderful
acoustics of the Assembly Room at Grimsby Town Hall.
The
talent
of
this
duo
and
quality
of
playing
was
underscored
in
the
definitive
opening
to
the
Prologue
of
Debussy’s
Cello
Sonata
in
D
-
the
lush
resonance
of
the
cello
against
a
perfect
pianissimo
from
the
piano.
Hugh
began
the
Serenade
with
a
pizzicato
opening
followed
by
rich
lower
bass
notes.
Throughout,
Julian
maintained
a
perfect
dynamic
balance
ensuring
that
the
quietest
notes
and
harmonics
from
the
cello
would
always
be
heard
at
the
back
of
the
hall.
Hugh
was
clearly
living
the
music
as
the
piece
progressed
without
a
break
into
an
exciting
scherzo-like
Finale,
full
of
character.
Whilst
the
music
may
be
well
written,
it
is
to
be fully enjoyed when performed by two such fine musicians as on this occasion.
Beethoven’s
Cello
Sonata
in
F,
was
mischievously
described
by
Hugh
as
a
piano
sonata
with
cello
accompaniment.
This
contained
wonderful
exchanges
between
the
instruments;
Mozart
influences
could
be
heard
in
florid
and
demanding
piano
runs,
punctuated
by
distinctive
Beethoven
chord
strikes.
Superb
musicianship
and
ensemble
was
enjoyed
in
the
first
movement,
from
the
subtle
spiccato
on
the
cello
and
from
Julian’s
utilization
of
the
full
dynamic
range
of
the
Steinway
-
fortissimo
to
pianissimo.
As
the
pair
entered
the
second
movement,
they
seemed
to
intimate
that
they
had
just
warmed
up
as
they
brought
out
the
humorous
and
playful
nature
of the Allegro vivace.
Hugh
was
clearly
in
the
moment
as
he
performed
Birtwistle’s
brooding
Lied
,
like
a
journey
of
personal
discovery,
the
lines
of
thought
punctuated
by
piano
discords.
An
all
too
short
melodic
section
was
followed
by
a
rhapsodic
piano
interlude
and
then
an
intense
cello
solo
leading
to
a
sweet
conclusion
as
both
parts
united.
An
uncannily
timed
low
rumble
from
a
passing
vehicle
provided
the
perfect
segue
into
Frank
Bridge’s
Cello
Sonata
in
D
.
Both
instruments
provided
a
sublime
intensity
and
colour
in
the
Allegro
–
Hugh
“breathing”
the
notes;
Julian
powerful
and
delicate.
The
second
movement,
of
three
phases,
was
marked
by
a
wonderful
ebb
and
flow
between
gentle
and
delicate
sections,
fast
passages,
intense
and
loud
moments.
Two
virtuosic
players,
their
skills
perfectly
combined
to
entrance
their
audience.
Hugh
&
Julian
delighted
the
audience
with
an
encore
-
the
third
piece
from
3 Pieces for cello and piano
, Nadia Boulanger. IM
