For our March meeting at the Methodist Church we were delighted to welcome back George Wilkes, a British cellist who has performed in Europe, USA and, of course, in the UK. He has received invitations to renowned festivals including the Nume Festival in Italy and the Santander Festival in Spain. He has appeared with the Chipping Campden Festival Orchestra and, as a chamber musician, has collaborated with many distinguished artists. George completed his bachelor’s degree at the Royal Academy of Music and is now pursuing a master’s degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. During his studies he received the Frank Britton Award and was nominated by the Academy for the NPS Grant Award towards the purchase of a new instrument. Since graduating he has taken on several contemporary music projects including premiering a work by Ryan Wigglesworth with the Knussen Chamber Orchestra at Snape Maltings and appearing in a full performance of his own composition “Black is the Colour” at the Shapalov Festival in Ghent…. and so to Shipston-on-Stour! Once again the pianist for our evening was none other than our own Charles Matthews whose expertise in the art of the accompanist is legendary! The programme began with Beethoven’s “Seven Variations on “Bei Mannern weiche Liebe fuhien” (Mozart: The Magic Flute) – with examples of imitation between cello and piano and finishing with a lively performance of the Scherzo. This was followed by “Waldestille” (Wood Stillness) by Hamilton Harty. As the name suggests this piece included sections of smooth legato melody interspersed with outbursts of very energetic pizzicato passages. Next came “Sonata No.2” by Martinu in which the lively finale brought us to the interval for refreshments. The“Prelude” by Moeran (a work that reflects his English/Irish roots) was a perfect choice to begin the second part of the evening with the main melody being a wonderful example of George’s legato playing. We were then brought back to reality with the Cello Sonata No.2 in D minor by Faure which begins with a lively Allegro followed by a more serene Andante and a very energetic Allegro comodo to bring to an end our evening of musical delights performed by two excellent exponents of the cello and piano.