THE last meeting in November, held at Dylanwad Da, was incredibly successful – members enjoyed a history of Dylanwad Da from Dylan and Llinos and a good discussion about using Welsh in business and how Menter Gwynedd and Hunaniaith are looking to assist businesses in the Dolgellau area.Following a break over the Christmas period, the next meeting will be on 27 January at TH Roberts (upstairs), from 5.30pm onwards. Tom from T H Roberts will be telling the group about his business, the Wales Air Ambulance will give a presentation on the charity and their efforts in the local area, and members will also discuss what is next for Siarad Busnes and what Dolgellau would like to see over the coming year.As ever, the meetings are informal and open for all to attend.For more information, contact Kerry on [email protected] or call 01970 623906.

Music Club

PROLONGED applause at the end of the first item, a pair of Scarlatti sonatas, in the recital given in Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor on Friday 8th January by pianist Kausikan Rajeshkumar (pictured), showed how much the audience appreciated the young soloist’s brilliance. The second sonata of the pair, K 141 (both in D minor), required no less, with its toccata-like repeated notes evoking the mandolin or guitar. But in some ways it was the opening sonata, K 213, a slow and intense lament, that set the tone for the evening. The recital was deeply-thought and felt, with the performer often looking up (no copies needed) as if listening to the quality of tone he was producing, and seemingly creating into the moment. It was hard to believe any printed music had been part of the process. This of course was an illusion, concealing many hours of disciplined practice. The Chopin masterpieces that took up the remainder of the first half — the Barcarolle in F sharp major Op. 60, Three Mazurkas Op. 59, and the Ballade in F minor Op. 52 — were deeply satisfying.Scriabin’s descriptions of his own music, “the second movement represents the vast expanse of ocean in stormy agitation”, can seem over-the-top, but in this instance they seemed to match well Kausikan Rajeshkumar’s playing of the Sonata No. 2 in G sharp minor Op. 19. Six of Busoni’s 24 Preludes Op. 37 (the work of a precocious 14-year-old) made an effective contrast, each in a different key and sharply defined. The final item, two movements from Villa-Lobos’s Brazilian Cycle, was a perfect choice, not least the rhythmically driven rumble in the jungle, Festa no sertao, that brought the programme to an exciting close.

The next concert will be given by the Pleyel Ensemble in Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor at 7.30pm on Friday, 5 February.