Tickhill: Percussion concert was a truly captivating and educating night

Tim Abel (left) and Rhys Matthews captivated the audience during their performance at Tickhill Music Society

For the average concert-goer, an evening of percussion could easily be a daunting prospect.

But Rhys Matthews (marimba and African drum) and Tim Abel (piano) soon dispelled any such thoughts at Tickhill Music Society.

We learned that percussion can take many forms – not just the beating of a stick on a resonant surface, but clapping, finger–snapping, foot–tapping, and even percussive vocals.

While there is little original music for the marimba this is no disadvantage as the music of other ages and other instruments was arranged so skilfully as to seem a natural fit, whether it was written by Mozart for the piano or Kabalevsky for full orchestra.

And the marimba is capable of soft limpid tones as well as exuberance.

What made this a special evening was the charm and enthusiasm of the two players, allied to their obvious skill and musicianship.

It is sure to live on in the memory of all who attended.