St Augustine’s Church Bexhill, Saturday11 May

Many great composers overcame appalling complications to create their masterpieces.   Beethoven’s deafness is probably the one which springs to mind, but many suffered mental problems, and one of the worst affected was Robert Schumann.

A lifelong sufferer, then known as writer rather than composer (his father was an author and bookseller) he attempted suicide in the Rhine but was saved to live for only two years in seclusion.  Yet despite this his work comprises some of today’s most charming and memorable pieces.

Scenes from Childhood, which followed Peter’s sparkling treatment of the Arabesque in C (Opus 18, 1839) with which he opened the programme, subtly reflected their theme, as it were, ‘musically pictorial.’

The opening work, From Foreign Lands and People was among the most popular.  By the Fireside was appropriately dreamy, with Träumerei (Reverie) a popular stalwart of Classic FM.  The contrast of Frightening with the following Child Falling Asleep revealed anew the composer’s scope. 

The four contrasting pieces making up Debussy’s Suite Bergamasque included the much maligned Clair de Lune, Peter demonstrating its regeneration with the fingers of a maestro.

Grieg’s Three Lyric Pieces were just that, delightful tone poems reproducing their titles, Album leaf, Peace of the Woods and Homeward. And for the greatly demanded encore, from the pen that composer for which Peter is internationally celebrated, Chopin’s Waltz in C sharp minor.

The concert grand was supplied by Blüthner Piano Centre, thanks to the support of Miss Penelope White, with St Augustine’s benefitting from the proceeds of the performance. MW