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Bach – Toccata in C minor, BWV 911
Debussy – Three Etudes
GraingerColonial Song and Mock Morris
LisztRapsodie Espagnole

Jason Gillham (piano)

St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London, 8 October 2012

A hugely successful lunchtime piano recital, the programme ideally chosen for St Martin-in-the-Fields. No complaints that he used modern piano for the large scale Bach toccata; it would not have worked there on harpsichord.

Debussy's late, forward-looking Etudes have only latterly gained due appreciation, Jason Gillham has their measure fully. Percy Grainger's over-the-top piano arrangements used to have been popular, but are less often played nowadays. Gillam relished their excesses and gave them with due panache, to the audience's acclamation.

The Liszt Rhapsody is a huge piece which he has made his own, savouring its wit as well as grandiosity. He can be seen on a recommendable DVD at RAM, honing its subtleties with Stephen Hough.

Look out for Jason Gillham's next appearance near you; meanwhile enjoy on YouTube his magisterial inward expressiveness in the XVI Chopin International Piano Competition two years ago.

Peter Grahame Woolf