Despite the damp and gloomy February weather outside Freshwater Memorial Hall on Saturday evening, a warm and cosy West Wight Arts Association atmosphere inside awaited the return of popular pianist Viv Mclean, on this occasion joined by a newcomer to the Association, soprano Sarah Gabriel.
The duo offered a French-themed musical menu for the first half of the concert. After opening proceedings with the dignified ‘A Chloris ‘ by Reynaldo Hahn, Sarah wasted no time in winning over the audience with a charmingly informal way of introducing the other songs.
Debussy and Poulenc
Apart from another short song cycle by Hahn, there were works from Debussy – ‘Apparition’, Faure – ‘Notre Amour’ and ‘En Sourdine’, and Poulenc – ‘Les Chemins de l’Amour’, all sung with conviction and excellent diction.
To give her voice a rest, Viv interspersed with a sensitive and thoughtful performance of two piano preludes by Debussy, ‘Des Pas sur la Neige’ and ‘La fille aux Cheveux de lin’.
An all-Gershwin extravaganza
The second half of the evening saw the audience whisked off to America for an all-Gershwin extravaganza, which included songs such as favourites ‘I got rhythm’ and ‘Love is here to stay’. Sarah continued to be a highly entertaining hostess as she interacted with Viv, while explaining their mutual love of this composer.
Viv once again provided the filling for the ‘song sandwich’ with a titanic performance of Rhapsody in Blue. Altogether it was an uplifting and optimistic evening of entertainment, our thanks to both of them!
Next concert
Please join us for our next concert on Saturday 7th March 2026, when we welcome back another West Wight Arts Association favourite, pianist Margaret Fingerhut.
News shared by Claire on behalf of West Wight Arts Association. Ed
