Simon Trpčeski - Friendship - The Arts Desk

The Brahms is earnest and eloquent, Trpčeski leading from the front, and Shahov’s Quintet pointillist and lithe – but it’s the Connesson I’m here for. On paper at risk of gilding the lily, adding the percussion actually gives the Sextuor (renamed as Divertimento) an expansiveness and plays up the lively humour of the outer movement. The middle one, though, is all about Hidan Mamudov’s silky clarinet solo, underpinned by pianissimo bass drum and suspended cymbal. It’s magical.