SOMETIMES known as the poor relation of the classical strings section – a bit less charismatic than the violin or the deeply emotional cello – the viola has its own poignant and beautiful sound. Spanish-Belgian musician Lorena Canto shows the versatility of the instrument in her Concerts in the West recitals with pianist Yvain Calvo, at Bridport Arts Centre at 11.30am for the coffee concert on Friday 27th June, at Ilminster Arts Centre that evening at 7.30pm and at Crewkerne Dance House on Saturday 28th at 7.30.

At Bridport, the duo will play two pieces for viola and piano by Frank Bridge and Brahms’ Sonata in F minor No 1, Op 120. At Ilminster and Crewkerne, they will also play Robert Schumann’s Three Romances, Op 94 and Beethoven’s Seven Variations on Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen, from Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Based in London, Lorena Cantó was for several years a member of the award-winning Jubilee String Quartet. She is now continuing her solo, chamber and orchestral career as a guest artist with ensembles in the UK and internationally. Through her years of musical study, both at the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she has played as a soloist in venues including the Berlin Konzerthaus and the Wigmore Hall, as well as appeared in BBC 3 and Classic Fm.

Yvain Calvo is a Spanish pianist with a career as soloist and chamber musician. He graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2021 under the tutelage of Peter Bithell and Caroline Palmer. Established in London, he has performed at the Oxford Philharmonic Friends Evening, recitals at Milton Court Concert Hall, and recorded at Abbey Road Studios. As an accompanist he has collaborated in the 2022 Proms at St Jude’s.