The Strad
February 2004 edition

Wigmore Hall, London : 17 November 2003

"Cellist Richard Harwood shared a programme with pianist Helen Reid in one of the Park Lane Group's Monday Platforms at the Wigmore Hall on 17 November. Harwood performed sonatas by Beethoven and Barber with great aplomb. The former's Sonata in D major op.102 no.2 was elegant, fresh and laced with a passion that was never overdone. The slow movement was extraordinarily beautiful - and here pianist Irina Botan showed herself an eminently sensitive partner, emphasising and supporting Harwood's arching lines. The sparkling finale was full of wit and character.

Barber's Cello Sonata op.6 was written before the composer graduated from the Curtis Institute and shows great powers of lyrical intensity for one so young: the seeds of his later work are ever present, and these characteristic extremes of emotion were captured with real fire and concentrated passion by Harwood and Botan. In the short, singing slow movement Harwood allowed a lighter mood to break through, and the playful edginess of the Scherzando was perfectly judged. The sweeping fervour of the final movement showed both players in their element, their performance warm and spontaneous."

Catherine Nelson