Making Music, the national organisation which supports, connects and champions musicians and those who present music, sponsored the latest recital organised by the Shipston and District Music Society.  Held at the Methodist Church in Shipston, the excellent acoustics did perfect justice to the superb playing of clarinettist Matthew Scott who was ably supported by Daniel King-Smith on the piano.

23 year old Matthew, who qualified in 1915 with an MA with distinction from the Royal Academy of Music, put on a challenging recital full of verve and technique.  Beginning with a fine performance of Francis Poulenc’s 1962 Sonata, Matthew’s first half performance led us on to Norbert Bergmuller’s Duo in E flat major, op. 15, and Gerald Finzi’s Five Bagatelles Op. 23.  The second half began with Claude Debussy’s Syrinx L.129 played on a C clarinet composed in 1913, followed by Max Reger’s Sonata in A flat major Op 49, no 1, and ended with Alexandre Chabot’s 2013 arrangement of variations on themes from the Nutcracker ballet which displayed both Matthew’s and the composer’s virtuosity and left the audience spellbound.    An encore of the Flight of the Bumblebee indicated in no uncertain terms that Matthew had far to go on the concert platform!   Daniel, a young pianist who already has wide experience on the international stage, gave a thoughtful and sympathetic accompaniment throughout.