In the nave of St Patrick's Cathedral the sounds merge in a disquieting manner, as if the very fabric of the building were at odds with the music; but in the pew of Sir B. L. Guinness beneath the crossing, the distortions cease. The Chorale Prelude, lightly registered, had a feeling of simple devotion, and the Cello Suites came across bright and clear.
The first sacred song ("Break in two, my heart, My Jesukin is dead") was the offering most appropriate for Holy Week, and was sung with dignity by Andrew Mackriell. The other, ("Jesus, Thy Wounds of Love"), sung by Roger Pickett, was very short but contributed to the theme of the Passion.
Arun Rao's playing of the Cello Suites was strongly rhythmical and emphasised the origin of the movements in the forms of dance. The musical title of Divertimento might well have been used if they had been written by a later composer for they are both a display of virtuosity and an entertainment. No 5, being in C minor, was the most serious in mood, highlighting the exuberance of No 6. Here Arun Rao found unexpected resources of colour and an infectious sense of joy - an anticipation of Easter that brought the recital to a fitting end.
