THIS was the inaugural concert of the late Peter Reynolds legacy, and as such was performed by the young pianist Jâms Coleman.

The opening work was the 32 Variations in C minor, WoO 80. More like a set of études, this rarely heard work was extremely well performed, giving the pianist full scope to demonstrate his prodigious technique combined with a sensitivity and appreciation of Beethoven’s demands.

An interesting work Campanoligy Study, by Joseph Davies, followed and was very atmospheric.

The first half concluded with Frank Liszt Sonette 104 del Petrarca and Isolde’s Liebestod (Wagner, transcribed by Liszt), the latter work encored at the end of the concert. The pianist explained that this work was a particular favourite of his and it became one of ours too.

The second half of the recital was devoted to one work, an Everest of the piano repertoire, 24 preludes, Op 28, by Frederic Chopin. Some familiar, others less so, but cleverly constructed using all 24 keys available on the piano, in the sequence of perfect 5ths and relative minors. J.S. Bach did this in the previous century with his preludes and fugues, albeit going up in semitones.

Putting the technical analysis to one side, this is pure Chopin, in 24 different guises. Again, fantastic technique (especially No 16 in Bb minor, Presto con fuoco), plus many other delights en route to the final prelude in D minor, marked Allegro Appassionato, and it was!

By Paul Green