Worcester Concert Club’s latest recital was unavoidably coloured with sadness because the society’s Secretary, Gill Miller, had died suddenly since the previous concert. Derek Smith, also Michael Blackmore spoke of the gratitude Gill was owed.

Sunday’s concert was given by siblings Joanne and David Quigley, Irish musicians of distinction, making a welcome return to WCC.

Debussy’s Sonata for Violin and Piano began with the pianist’s lovely arpeggio figures sustaining the violinist’s dark downcast melody. We heard the musicians soaring in romance and reverie through Intermede, fantasque et leger and the Finale featured a stunning left-hand tune while the violinist scaled heights and rapid cascades, generating a jazzy style.

Within Sonata No.1 in G major (‘Regen’ )Op.78 by Brahms were wonderful song-like melodies and passionate harmonies. The Adagio was soulful as Joanne, ponderous and searching, played expressively with stunning double-stopping. ‘Light-as-a-feather’ staccato from David introduced the last movement and Joanne’s surge of gentle melody grew in intensity until the original theme from the song Regenlied was reiterated with emotion.

Janacek’s only Sonata for violin & piano suited Joanne & David particularly well. Jagged rhythmic fragments and beautiful tuneful phrases intermingled with feisty passion. Pedalled rolled piano chords and ethereal violin singing was wonderful and expert agility as they both skidded around was very exciting.

Dreamy tunes and sudden changes of mood for Prokofiev’s Sonata No.2 in D major Op.94 soon settled into dignified ‘rocking’ by both musicians whose interpretation was perceptive and allowed transparency to shine through. A strongly accented concluding movement seemed to be heading for a powerful finish, but disappointingly, this was not quite realised.

WCC’s next concert when David Wright & Chris Grist (harpsichord & cello) will perform Baroque music is on Sunday 21st February in Huntingdon Hall at 3pm.