Musical Opinion
January - February 2005

Richard Harwood and Connie Shih at the Purcell Room

"There are some recitals after which the reviewer feels the inadequacy of words to do full justice in describing the artists' mesmerising power over the listeners. Richard Harwood and Connie Shih's Cello and Piano recital in the Purcell Room on 18 October was such an occasion.

Harwood's deep, searching, individual musicianship was evident throughout Mendelssohn's Variations Concertantes, Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata, Janácek's Pohadka and Frank Bridge's Sonata, particularly the subtleties and lightness of touch in the Schubert, where every phrase had the natural pace of a great singer, and the out-and-out passion and strength of the Frank Bridge.

Connie Shih's impressive pianism was distinguished by warm pianissimi, incredibly deft finger-work and torrential outbursts of orchestral sonority.

Indeed, it was the intense musicianship of these two truly outstanding performers which persuaded me that those who were at the recital will talk about their memorable and original playing."

Manus Carey