This was not a concert for the faint-hearted. Mirroring the uncompromising gale-force elements outside, Freddy Kempf breezed into the Lyons Concert Hall and threw himself full-throttle into a programme of Chopin and Schumann.

The opening Chopin Ballade (No.1 in G minor) was certainly not a conservative searching poetic account, here the emphasis was very much on the dramatic with a remarkably forceful performance which had this reviewer drawing breath, such as the rubato liberties, impassioned outbursts sanctioned with a virtuosic arrogance.

This energy and passion worked better in the B minor Sonata. The first movement, perhaps a shade faster than normal, displayed a relentless forward momentum which followed through into the tricky Scherzo, and a wonderful sense for quick "staccato" semi-quavers.

After cultivating a tense opening, the Largo third movement was clear, placid and beautifully voiced, particularly in the lovely sustained central section. The fiendishly difficult Finale was prosecuted with vigorous aplomb, bringing out the rich virtuosic textures.

The Schumann Symphonic Studies' is no string of pearls' variations a la Carnival, but a full-blown classical' set driving the work forwards. Again Freddy Kempf unleashed an undeniably exhilarating, personally-stamped dramatic account. And although there was variety and colour there just wasn't enough beauty and elegance: the drama too often forced and neurotically projected, too much ratcheting up tension to drive matters home. As I said, a concert not for the faint-hearted, and ultimately not for me, but as I left, a rapturous full-capacity audience clearly couldn't have agreed less.


Steve Crowther