Elegant tribute to society co-founder
MISS Dorothy Dean, a former head of Wintringham Grammar School, was a remarkable lady and this memorial concert honoured her devotion to the musical life of our town.
In 1959, she co-founded what became Grimsby Concert Society and, for more than 50 years, was committed to enticing outstanding classical musicians to the town.
Miss Dean, pictured, maintained a keen and active interest in the society up until her death in 2011, at the grand age of 96.
She greatly admired the Coull Quartet and enthusiastically followed the international career of her former pupil, the pianist Richard Markham; uniting them for a memorable concert during the 1980s.
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It was, therefore, apt that Grimsby Concert Society should recreate that partnership for this tribute to their former president.
The first half of the evening belonged to the Coull Quartet and it quickly became apparent why they have attracted so many admirers.
Beethoven's String Quartet No 1 in F, Op 18 and Mendelssohn's String Quartet No 1 in E flat, Op 12 proved an absolute joy. There was a divine synergy between the four musicians, an evident enthusiasm that sparkled and, as observed by other reviewers, a charming freshness in their playing.
Richard Markham opened the second half of the concert with Brahms' Intermezzi Opus 118, No 1 in A minor and No 2 in A major.
As we have come to expect, Richard played with his customary finesse, extracting every ounce of beauty from these two delightful and extremely melodic compositions.
Schumann's Piano Quintet in E Flat, Op 44 provided an opportunity for the Coull Quartet and Richard Markham to unite for the final piece of the evening.
Their combined musical talents represented an elegant performance and a satisfying conclusion to an evening that, I suspect, Miss Dean would have both approved of and appreciated.
Trevor Ekins
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