By Spencer Allman

OVER the years, Hay Music has organised almost 50 concerts in and around the border town. Under its auspices, Korean violinist Marisol Lee and her compatriot, pianist Minjung Baek, came together on July 12 at Dorstone House, Herefordshire, to give an inspired programme of works that showed off their joint and individual talents.

Composing and interpreting music for violin and piano can be a challenging task. Both instruments are primarily lead, rather than accompanying, instruments, and the result can sometimes be a contest for supremacy.

Not so with these two young performers, both of whom are still studying their art. Despite being at an early stage in their career, they achieved a superb sense of balance in their playing, which was brilliant yet sophisticated.

Their programme too was well balanced. Nearly all the works featured revolved around the Classical style without actually including any composers specifically from that period.

Beethoven’s Sonata for Piano and Violin op.12 no.2 was first on the programme, an early work in the great man’s output. As was the custom of the day, the violin is in something of an accompanying role, and Marisol Lee showed discreet sensitivity as her companion led the way in this youthful piece.

Next came two solo works for piano by Brahms, beautifully rendered by Minjung Baek. The fierce challenges that Brahms sets his players were also met with apparent ease in his Herculean third violin sonata, the duo maintaining exquisite control throughout.

After the interval the focus of attention switched, albeit temporarily, to the violin. We heard part of Bach’s Sonata for solo violin no 2 in A minor, the Grave movement an episode of spellbinding melancholy. Outside, meanwhile, the afternoon sun shone down on the wonderful gardens of Dorstone House.

A sprightly work by Schubert was followed by Prokofiev’s second violin sonata. The eccentric melodies and harsh dissonances of this massive work in the neo-classical style were delivered with confidence and polish.

Each of the players has appeared at numerous prestigious venues around the world, but they have only performed together as a duo in the UK. Their first two concerts were in London, and the third and last was this splendid event in the Golden Valley.

Nevertheless, Marisol Lee and Minjung Baek both said they wanted to continue working occasionally in this format. I am sure they will.