The important role of the accompanist should never be overlooked and I'm sure the five music students who performed at last Thursday's Perfect Pitch lunchtime concert at St Cross, would have been grateful for the superbly played support Samantha Carrasco gave to each performance. 

Her impressive biography confirms she is in great demand and the college is indeed fortunate to have her as Head of Piano Studies.

Trumpeter Elias Simojoki gave a glorious performance of the first movement of Haydn's E flat Concerto, with beautiful tone and a stunningly executed cadenza at the end.

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In contrast Ruth Leigh performed the virtuosic first movement of Saint Saens Third Concerto with its richly toned opening.

Trombonist Ben Sabin showed us the full range of the instrument, with smooth and lucious tone in the romantic Sang Till Lotta by Jan Sandstrom and this was followed with The Playful Pachyderm for Bassoon, played by Lucy Gowan's. This humourous piece was performed brilliantly by the soloist whose impressive technique thrilled the audience.

The excellently varied concert ended with a performance by Marcus Zheng - saxophone of Farandoulo di Chatouno by Paul's Maurice - a very characterful piece, with dancing semiquavers for soloist and accompanist.

Peter Symonds College students wonderfully supported by Samantha Carrasco, provided a varied and thrilling concert, warmly appreciated by the audience.

Perfect Pitch free lunchtime concerts continue in the Chapel of St Cross Hospital, every Thursday at 12.30pm.

Review by Graham Davies