Great expectations were more than realised when the Gould Trio returned to the town for Cockermouth Music Society’s December concert.

Lucy Gould (violin), Richard Lester (cello) and Ben Frith (piano) are an incomparable trio who gave us one of the best concerts we have ever experienced.

Beginning with a lovely performance of Beethoven’s Piano trio in C minor the group went from strength to strength. James Macmillan’s Second Trio, written for the Trio, hit us with a whirlwind of notes which seemed to revolve around the wailing and shrieking of many goblins in a confined space. This then resolved itself into more orderly passages full of variety and volatility, accompanied at intervals by Ben Frith thunderously attacking one note with lightning fingers and incredible vigour. Will the Steinway Grand Piano ever recover, I ask myself!

The final item, Smetana’s Piano Trio in G minor, was a glorious pinnacle to the evening’s music, played with such beauty and power that one felt this was the perfect way music should be performed. Lucy Gould brings such commitment to her inspiring playing that we were at all times drawn into being part of her amazing music - making Richard Lester (who has only been with the Trio for a couple of months) perform as if he had been with the group for ever, clear tone and attack in every line. And as for Ben Frith - one feels that here is a pianist who could do anything on his instrument, dynamics always perfectly produced, incredible fire and energy in full swing, both blending in and leading the group with such self-belief that when the audience left, they were still spellbound by such a marvellous performance.

Susan Allison