LARS VOGT, this year’s celebrity recitalist, is probably more used to a full house than the meagre numbers here, but that said, the programme itself was not entirely aimed at thrill-seekers of warhorse works.

A selection of pieces from Book 1 of Bartok’s For Children received the full weight of expression from a concert artist on a concert grand-eschewing any thought of innocence that a child might bring to the lighter items.

Schubert’s Sonata No18 in G, opus 78 is one of his last and exemplifies explosive contrasts of dynamic. Vogt’s visceral veracity gave impetus where required but never at the expense of the quiet subtlety necessary to give poetic and melodic sensitivity.

Poems: 12 pieces for pianists and other children by Thomas Larcher were mainly, in a slow, subdued manner, entertainingly evocative of the lines behind them; Frida falls asleep being a fine example.

We should have known when Brahms’ melodically delightful Three Intermezzi, opus 117 had concluded their satisfying course-though we waited respectfully for Vogt to make his move.

Nevertheless, his ferocious attack on Brahms’ Variations on a theme of Paganini, opus 35 (Book 1) immediately indicated that he’d self-effacingly forgone formality. His incendiary virtuosity continued unabated in one of the most amazing feats of pianistic panache ever witnessed at the Lighthouse.

Not heard it before? Now we know why!