A special charity concert in memory of the late Joyce Hall from Sidmouth was enjoyed by approximately 80 people at Sidmouth Parish Church last month.
The performance was coordinated by Roger Hendy, musical director for Isca Ensemble, and helped raise valuable funds for Hospiscare.

Writing for the Herald, John Bowerman shares his review with our readers.
Devon-born Joel Munday (violinist) teamed up with Polish pianist Lucas Krupinski in a special concert in Sidmouth Parish Church last month coordinated by Roger Hendy, MD Isca Ensemble.
In Bach’s Violin Sonata B1003, Joel Munday displayed an immaculately controlled technique producing clear, diligently shaped dynamics, agogics and articulation throughout with due attention to some finely crafted expression to every motif. With flawless intonation, his playing produced a serene and highly charged emotional atmosphere.
Schumann’s Second Violin Sonata followed with great impact. The ensemble was superb and the musicians immediately conveyed the stature of this substantial piece. The urgency of the music swept onwards with Lucas Krupinski bringing out the many countermelodies and rhythmic quirks that bring this work close in style to Brahms. The emotional centre of the piece was the slow movement where poignant pianissimo pizzicato passages followed by a beautifully paced chorale theme were so lovingly developed by Joel. The performance found room for light and shade among busy energetic rhythms.
Lucas Krupinski then gave a truly outstanding performance of Ravel’s ‘La Valse’. His interpretation brilliantly set out to evoke Ravel’s aim to create ‘a dancing, whirling, almost hallucinatory ecstasy’. Playing with exceptional virtuosity, Lucas successfully projected all the extravagantly voluptuous Straussian episodes of the piece with great panache resulting in a standing ovation.
César Franck’s Violin Sonata was then performed with extraordinary maturity allowing the cyclical ideas of the piece to permeate through. Playing with a warm rich tone and supported by lush flowing piano accompaniment, Joel tastefully projected the swaying opening motif. In the Allegro the performers let loose with a gutsy, powerful sound whilst the beautifully crafted, anguished theme of the third movement conveyed yet more highly charged emotion. The musicians poured out their souls in the Allegro poco mosso aiming to drain every last ounce of sound from the violin and piano thus propelling the listeners towards the radiance of the triumphant final bars. The performance deservedly received a sustained and enthusiastic show of appreciation from the audience.
JB