{TABLE} Sonata No 4 in C, Op 102 No 1.............. Beethoven Sonata No 3 in A, Op 69.................... Beethoven {/TABLE} IN the concert at noon last Sunday Annette Cleary (cello) and Peter Dains (piano) returned to the Hugh Lane Gallery to give the second recital in their series of all Beethoven's sonatas for cello and, piano. The third and final, recital will be given in the autumn and it will be necessary to arrive early, for these recitals have been packed.
In the first recital there had been unfortunate problems of balance, but this time, thanks to more confident and assertive cello playing and to more restrained piano tone, the previous impression of uneven competition was replaced by one of co-operation. The formation of a genuine partnership could be sensed.
The rapid and somewhat surprising transitions of speed and mood in these two sonatas were skit fully handled, particularly the dynamic interjections towards the end of Sonata No. 4. The slow cantabile lines for the cello were played with expressive feeling and established an air of profundity which underlaid the more lively passages.
It was particularly pleasing that at no time did the cello have to fight to be heard and that at climaxes both instruments had the power to reinforce each other. The performance at times attained that inner glow when, so to speak, performers become one with the music and win the trust of the audience.
