The unmistakable melody of the Mozart Bb Sonata, superbly played by Gina McCormack on violin and accompanied by Nigel Clayton on piano, serenely launched the 4th Concert of the 2025-2026 season, at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, on Wednesday 4th February 2026.
In their second piece, they introduced the audience to the lovely music of the increasingly popular American composer and performer Amy Beach. Quite remarkably the Romance Op.23 was played again the next day, on BBC Radio 3 Unwind, to the delight of some keen listeners and concert go-ers.
The final item, prior to the interval was the Violin Sonata by William Walton. This infrequently performed work, comprising two longish movements, was commissioned by Yehudi Menuhin in 1947.
In 1853 three composers presented the great violinist Joseph Joachim with a belated 21st-birthday gift. The present was a violin sonata of which Albert Dietrich had written the opening allegro, Johannes Brahms the Scherzo, and Robert Schumann the Finale. It was the Brahms Scherzo which opened the second half of the concert.
This was followed by another Romance, (Op22 No1) on this occasion written by Clara Schumann.
The concluding scheduled work was Johannes Brahms Violin Sonata No 3 in D minor. This 4 movement Sonata was premiered in 1888 in Budapest with Jeno Hubby on violin and the composer at the piano.
The two artists had provided a truly magnificent masterclass evening which came to a quiet close with a charming encore composed by Lili Boulanger, simply entitled ‘Nocturne’.
From left to right, Ribble Valley Mayoress Councillor Donna O’Rouke, Ribble Valley Mayor Councillor Simon O’Rouke, Nigel Clayton, Gina McCormack, Clitheroe Town Mayor Councillor Michael Graveston and Clitheroe Town Mayoress Wendy Graveston.