Concert review: Geneva Lewis (violin) Georgijs Osokins (piano)

Brahms, says violinist Geneva Lewis, is her favourite composer. Her performance of his Second Violin Sonata at this Wigmore Hall lunchtime concert was a fine, thoughtful one. After the preliminary statement of the first theme between the two instruments, she gave it a sweet-toned account with firm, expressive shaping. There was congenial dialogue between them before the dramatic dotted theme, and the lyrical passages of the development were dreamy inner monologues, exquisite and captivating – and sometimes very quiet.

The start of the second movement was indeed tranquillo, as directed. The following Vivace tripped along nicely, and the second Vivace section was beautifully crafted, leading to an understated climax. The last of the Andantes in this variegated movement was an intimate meditation. There was something prayerful and gracious about the finale, making for a captivating performance.

Georgijs Osokins, always an empathetic partner, demonstrated his subtlety of touch in Scarlatti’s D minor Sonata Kk213 before Lewis again showed her proclivity for genial and unhurried flow in the first movement of Elgar’s Violin Sonata, which made her playing all the more thrilling when she opened out into largamente fortissimo. The Romance was dreamy and coquettish, with finely judged rubato to complement Elgar’s frequent adjustments of tempo. The sonata closed with a third movement full of vivid colour.

TIM HOMFRAY