Concert review: Joanna MacGregor at Lichfield Cathedral

Joanna MacGregor, Endellion String Quartet

Lichfield Festival

Concert review by John Watson

Joanna MacGregor is one of Britain's foremost pianists, and surely the most exciting to listen to.

Her solo concert in Lichfield Cathedral's Lady Chapel on Saturday was at times absolutely electrifying in its intensity, as though she was plugged directly into the National Grid.

She opened by juxtaposing preludes and fugues by JS Bach and by Shostakovich, demonstrating the influence of the 17th century German master on the 20th century Russian composer.

MacGregor played from the heart, and the music came alive.

The highlight of the concert came with her own vibrant arrangements of Six Tangos by the Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla – this was a real adventure, including musical quotations from popular songs such as I Got Rhythm, and even involved her pulling bass strings inside the piano instead of using the keys.

The Endellion String Quartet appeared at the first Lichfield Festival 30 years ago, and on Friday at St Michael's Church they opened Mozart's String Quartet in G, K387 , giving a smooth performance but one lacking in sparkle.

However, their version of Schubert's String Quartet in A Minor was compelling.