Positive Points about Selected Concerts - 2002/03
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31st Aug 2003 - 7:30pm - Berlin Philharmonic Orchester - Sir Simon
Rattle - Tasmin Little (violin)
Prom 55: Royal Albert Hall, London
The opening bars of Bartok's enigmatic Music for Strings, Percussion
and Celesta showed the stamp of a world class orchestra who's speciality is
simply the sheer quality of the sound. The pianissimo string playing was simply
breathtaking.
Tasmin Little used her own cadenza in close of the Ligeti Violin
concerto to good effect.
Simon Rattle conducted Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring without a score
and the bassoon player's sound was just perfect even following an audience
mobile phone interuption of his first attempt.
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27th Aug 2003 - 10:00pm - Britten Sinfonia - Nicholas Cleobury
Prom 51: Royal Albert Hall, London
Nicholas Daniel on fine form (complete with hunting pink jacket) in
Thea Musgrave's Helios proved the focal point of the concert. His technique was
as ever astounding and his musical conversations with fellow wind players
arranged around the stage added dramatic effect of this portrayal of the sun
moving across the heavens.
John Woolrich's Double Mercury showed a mastery of orchestration - with
some hoopy parts for many of the sections of the band (Andrew Waddicor [Bass
Trombone] had a particularly busy night).
There was some refined playing from Pauline Lowbury (amongst many
others) in Stravinsky's Orpheus.
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8th Aug 2003 - 10:00pm - London Sinfonietta - Peter Eotvos
Prom 28: Royal Albert Hall, London
A typical London Sinfonietta programme: Five pieces all with different
styles and sounds. The most original in orchestration must be "Snatches of
Conversation" written by the conductor for a double belled trumpet allowing
rapid fire changes between open and muted sounds. The piece exploited the full
range of the trumpet (unflinchingly played by Marco Blaaw) and also featured
Omar Ebrahim as 'noise maker' adding amplified whispers to further extend the
range of orchestral colour.
Detlev Glanert's "Secret Room" was played with characteristic London
Sinfonietta precision and had a fine audible structure - with the build up of
sound followed by sudden cut offs being used to great effect.
Omar Ebrahim (this time as a normal (?!) Baritone) was joined by
collegues Barbar Hannigan and Mary King for an outstanding performance of a
coupling of Ligeti's "Aventures" and "Nouvelle Aventures". Their performance
(together with David Hockings on an excessively wide range of theatrical
percussion instruments) was both visually and accoustically hilarious - done to
perfection in the way that seems only to be achievable by the London
Sinfonietta.
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31st July 2003 - 7:00pm - BBC National Orchestra of Wales - Christian
Gansch - Antje Weithaas (violin)
Prom 18: Royal Albert Hall, London
A shimmering performance of Ligeti's Lontano (especially enjoyable
handling of the contra-bass clarinet by the gently talented Joy Farrell) was
followed by Antje Weithaas chamber music like interpretation of the 5th Violin
Concerto by Mozart (K219). It was suprising that in the vast cavern of the
Albert Hall such a compact style of playing worked - but it did (at least for
those in arena area) and the string section of the orchestra sounded
superb.
The concert concluded with a well paced performance of Beethoven's
Pastoral Symphony. This saddistic reviewer always enjoys watching the double
bass section during the 'storm' passage!
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29th July 2003 - 8:00pm - King Lear - Stamford Shakespeare Company
Tolethorpe Hall, Lincs
Shakespeare's tough unremitting play presented in steady drizzle. A
very believable King Lear (Ray Lumb).
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20th July 2003 - 7:30pm - BBC National Orchestra of Wales - BBC Singers
- David Atherton
Prom 3: Royal Albert Hall, London
Outstanding performance from soloists (too numerous to list), chorus
and orchestra made the evening a very moving experience.
Of special note was the singing of the young paris by 12 year old James
Eager producing spectacular tone and intonation.
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19th July 2003 - 7:30pm - Derby Gilbert & Sullivan Society Gala
Concert - Andrew Nicklin
Derby Playhouse, Derby
Roger Swann = horn
A bash through some of the great tunes from the shows done with panache
by soloists and chorus of Derby G & S interspersed with some very humourous
MC introductions by Simon Theobald.
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11th July 2003 - 7:30pm - BBC National Orchestra of Wales - Richard
Hickox - Rebecca Evans (Sop)
Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield, Staffs
Three large screens used to relay live video of the concert to those at
the rear of the cathedral made it feel like you were watching the concert on TV
- most peculiar.
There was some enjoyably restrained solo trumpet playing by Andy
Everton in Handel's Let The Bright Seraphim.
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4th July 2003 - 7:30pm - BBC National Orchestra of Wales - Joseph
Swensen - Steven Isserlis ('cello)
Newport Centre, Newport, Wales
Newport centre (really a sports hall) provided a suprisingly good
accoustic - lots of clarity in the sound ensuring that some of the spikey short
notes sounded really exiting [the reviewer was sitting in zone D seat
F66].
Steven Isserlis played with his characteristic passion and commitment
backed up with complete technical security to make the Barber Cello Concerto
totally riveting.
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28th June 2003 - 7:30pm - The Helix Ensemble
Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, Leics
Roger Swann = horn
A vivacious performance of one of Vivaldi's L'Estro Harmonico concertos
was followed by a refined and delicate account of Marinu's Sextet for Piano and
Winds.
Brahms' huge Serenade in D Op 11 made up the second half - here in a
reconstruction for nine instruments by Alan Boustead. Some lyrical yet
rhythmical playing from the strings was particularly notable.
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24th June 2003 - 6:00pm - Lohengrin - The Royal Opera - Mark Elder /
Elihah Moshinsky
The Royal Opera, Covent Garden, London
Sublime music throughout - with Mark Elder showing particular expertise
in the (many) slow tempo sections.
A fairly traditional production allowed the quality of Wagner's writing
to shine (more like shimmer) through without distraction.
But even at Covent Garden there was one numbskull who left their mobile
phone on...........
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21st June 2003 - 7:30pm - Leeds College of Music Big Band - Al
Wood
St Andrews Church, Lyddington
Tight playing throughout. Manolo Polidario played some imaginative (and
technically fluid) guitar solos.
The trumpet section were particularly precise whilst still giving it
plenty of energy (lead trumpet Tom Tait )
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7th June 2003 - 7:30pm - University of Leicester Sinfonia - Michael
Sackin - Anthony Alcock (Double Bass)
Stoneygate Baptist Church, London Road, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
Anthony Alcock succeeded in making the double bass sound as agile as a
violin and as expressive as a cello in a technically remarkable performance of
Wanhal's double bass concerto
The concert concluded with Haydn's Symphony No. 29 in E maj - the final
two movements of which are classic examples of the composers genius.
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4th June 2003 - 7:30pm - A Change Of Light - Audrey Riley
The Cope Auditorium, Loughborough, Leics
All six musicians played with impressive precision throughout the
evening - making for many enjoyable ensemble moments.
Highlights included "How to Pray" by David Lang with it's curiously
lumbering unrhythmical rhythm and Damian le Gassick's "A little piece from" [or
does this curious title owe it's originality to a typo in the very
comprehensive programme that accompanied the event].
The range of sounds James Woodrow achieved with his guitars astonishing
- yet one never felt anything was done for show - at all times sound
musicianship prevailed.
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24th May 2003 - 4:00pm - Tristan and Isolde - English National Opera -
Dietfried Bernet
The Coliseum, London
David Rendall (Tristan) and Jane Irwin (Brangane) both sang superbly
(strong voices with good diction in both cases).
The fine orchestra did their best to cope with the somewhat eccentric
conducting of Dietfried Bernet. The cor anglais playing (Geoffrey Browne)
representing the shepherds pipes captured the mournful hawnting mood
perfectly.
It is amusing to record the late arrival of one of the lower ranking
viola players prior to the start of the third act. He arrived after the
conductor had acknowledged the applause, with his viola still in the case and
missed the first few minutes of the music whilst unpacking his instrument.
***********************************************************************
18th May 2003 - 1:00pm - COMA East Midlands - Kieran O'Riordan
All Hallows Church Hall, West Bridgeford, Nottingham
Roger Swann = horn
COMA provided welcome live music for the Lady Bay Open Studios Art
Festival. The audience seemed to appreciate the unusual COMA repetoire with
David Mchell's Lasy Syllable of Recorded Time seeming especially popular.
***********************************************************************
17th May 2003 - 7:30pm - Nottingham Symphony Orchestra - Derek Williams
- Alistair Pamell (Sax)
The Albert Hall, Nottingham
Roger Swann = horn
Some tight playing with solid attractive sound from all 3 flutes (Rhian
Saville (principal), Lesley Beedle and Veronica French.
Chloe Sawle kept a good pulse going through the treacherous Bolero by
Ravel.
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11th May 2003 - 3:00pm - Coventry Barbershop & Cameo Brass
St Peters Church, Aston Flamville, Leics
Roger Swann = horn (Cameo Brass)
Given as part of the Burbage Community Arts Festival a packed church
enjoyed a good glass of wine and some top quality barbershop singing from 13
gentlemen from the Coventry Barbershop Harmony Club. There intonation was
excellent and their showmanship was of a similar order.
Cameo Brass squeezed onto a tight platform and avoided (just) falling
off in the fast numbers!
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10th May 2003 - 7:30pm - The Bardi
Symphony Orchestra - Andrew Constantine - Christopher Cowie (oboe)
DeMontfort Hall, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
Christopher Cowie had a meltingly lyrical interpretation of the Oboe
Concerto by Richard Strauss. His gentle style of playing encouraged a similar
style from many sections of the orchestra.
Stewart Morris (principal trumpet) was on top form in Mahler's Fifth
Symphony.
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7th May 2003 - 7:45pm - Houghton Music Club Performers Evening
Houghton on the Hill, Leicestershire
A classic Houghton Music Club event with a wide range of material
presented including harpsichord, string quartet (pleasing Schubert waltz),
Scottish reels and jazz clarinet
Jayne Stanton's singing of Irish folk songs (accompanied by Will Smith
on guitar) were excellent
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3rd May 2003 - 10:30pm - Gail Thompson's Noir Femmes
Zion Center, Stretham Road, Manchester
The Noir Femmes turned out to be a group of around fifteen ladies
forming a versatile big band and performing some varied material written by
Gail Thompson. Intriguing to hear some jazz viola solos. In fact the string
section all round added greatly to the range of sound the band was able to
produce.
Special mention must go to the string bass player and the tabla/conga
player.
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12th April 2003 - 7:30pm - Hinckely Choral Union - University of
Leicester Sinfonia - David Archer - Michael Sackin
Hinckely United Reformed Church, Hinckley, Leics
Roger Swann = horn
Michael Sackin conducted a speedy performance of Beethoven's 1st
Symphony in which the most musically successful part was the allegro in the
first movement.
Beethoven's infrequently performed Mass in C included some spirited
playing (matched by the chorus).
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6th May 2003 - 7:30pm - BBC National Orchestra of Wales - Joseph
Swensen
St Davids Hall, Cardiff, Wales
Joseph Swensen clearly enjoyed his performance of Mahler's 6th Symphony
and drew some lyrical, long phrases from the strings in the slow movement. The
final coda was immaculate.
All 9 horns looked great in the "schalltrichter auf" passages!
***********************************************************************
29th March 2003 - 5:30pm - Der Rosenkavalier - English National Opera -
Vassily Sinaisky
The Coliseum, London
Whilst there was fine singing from all the principle roles the music
was the real winner: it's just a magnificently luscious score from start to
finish.
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26th March 2003 - 7:30pm - The Yeoman of the Guard - Leicester Gilbert
&Sullivan Operatic Society - Debbie Lee (Musical Director)
The Little Theatre, Leicester
Good intonation and clear bright tone from Jane Hillyard in the minor
role of Kate (Dame Carruthers Niece).
It was good to see Fred Rowe enjoying his contribution as a member of
the chorus - Fred has been the engraver of choice for
Cigol Controls for many years.
The Little Theatre bar serves Gold Label at room temperature which
makes a perfect pre show and/or interval drink.
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23rd March 2003 - 7:30pm - The Bardi
Symphony Orchestra - Andrew Constantine - Daniel Grimwood (piano)
DeMontfort Hall, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
A repeat of last nights programme to a good sized enthusiastic
audience.
The complete 'cello section (competently led by Rachel Calverly) were
deservedly brought to their feet by conductor Andrew Constantine following some
fine playing in Grieg's piano concerto.
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22nd March 2003 - 7:30pm - The Bardi
Symphony Orchestra - Andrew Constantine - Helen Reid (piano)
Bedworth Civic Hall, Bedworth, Warks
Roger Swann = horn
Good sustained trombone playing (well balanced section); long phrasing
in the bassoons - two of many things that helped create the feeling of
continual movement in Sibelius' majestic Fifth Symphony.
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20th March 2003 - 7:45pm - East Midlands Coma Ensemble - Kieran
O'Riordan
The Place, Sherwood, Nottingham
Roger Swann = horn (conductor/composer for 'Encore')
An enthusiastic audience heard a characteristically eclectic Coma
programme.
Rob Howard's 'Ghost' was perhaps the most musically effective piece,
showing genuine development of the opening material.
It has to be recoreded that this concert included the premier of the
reviewer's composition 'Encore'. The fine performance from all members of the
ensemble is acknowledged with gratitude.
***********************************************************************
15th March 2003 - 7:30pm - Nottingham Symphony Orchestra - Derek
Williams - Antony Clare (piano)
The Albert Hall, Nottingham
Andy Evans' (NSO 4th Horn) "Elegy" proved well orchestrated and showed
a musical sense of development of it's principle theme. As an early work by a
relatively inexperienced composer it has to be regarded as an excellent effort
and one looks forward to future pieces.
Antony Clare gave a distinctly "classical" account of the second Piano
Concerto by Shostakovitch. This style of playing was especially effective in
the slow movement where the haunting theme was played without any trace of
sentimentality.
Derek Williams held the orchestra together well in the tricky Four Sea
Interludes by Britten and (perhaps as a result of his own good fiddle
technique) the violins produced some particularly attractive playing.
***********************************************************************
12th March 2003 - 7:30pm - The Lindsays
Fraser Noble Building, University of Leicester
A really colourful performance of Debussy's String Quartet took full
advantage of the textures in this particularly (for Debussy) gutsy score.
Peter Cropper obviously relished the slow movement of the Brahms
Quartet Op 67 and reminded us what a lryical and expressive player he can be
when he is on form.
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8th March 2003 - 7:30pm - BBC National Orchestra of Wales - Tadaaki
Otaka - Freddy Kempf (piano)
Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, Wales
A rare chance to hear Hindermith's Mathis der Maler Symphony, given a
startlingly exciting performance by the BBC NOW on top form. Accurate
throughout all sections but a special mention to the strings sounding superb -
perfectly in tune violins soaring through the magnificent writing.
Again: the strings were noticably splendid in Wagner's prelude to Die
Meistersinger.
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5th March 2003 - 8:30pm - Eddie Lenihan (Storyteller)
The Man in the Moon, Cambridge
The superb Eddie Lenihan took us on an educational trip through the
folk lore of Ireland with some captivating tales of times gone by, including
characters such as the all knowing Biddy Early and regularly featuring men of
the cloth (both good and bad)
***********************************************************************
1st March 2003 - 7:30pm - University Singers, Proteus Chamber Orchestra
- Anthony Pither
Church of St James the Greater, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn (Schubert)
A fine, spritely, performance of Haydn's 'Nelson' Mass. Perfect
intonation, good sound and line from the soprano soloist Diana Sharp.
The choir were exciting (excited?) throughout with an especially
stirring ending to rousing 'Gloria'.
The performance of Schubert's Great C Major Symphony gave a chance for
Dan Jones to show his expertise in the high register of the trombone. It really
is a 'Great' piece in every sense of the word.
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22nd Feb 2003 - 7:30pm - University of Leicester Sinfonia - Michael
Sackin - Rosemary Morton (Bassoon)
Fraser Noble Building, University of Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
An opportunity to hear two rarely programmed pieces by Weber, his
Overture 'Preciosa' and his Bassoon Concerto (which includes a brief legato
passage for the Bassoon accompanied just be the two horns - played with perfect
balance and intonation by Julian Haslam and David Hull).
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8th Feb 2003 - 7:30pm - The Helix Ensemble - Alan Suttie
Fraser Noble Building, University of Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
There was some accomplished and stylish clarinet playing by Andy Piper
in Milhaud's La Creation du Monde.
The ensemble playing of Lennox Berkeley's Divertimento included some
tidy and appropriately light string playing.
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1st Feb 2003 - 7:30pm - The Bardi
Symphony Orchestra - Andrew Constantine - Mark David (trumpet)
DeMontfort Hall, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
A rare chance to hear Aroutounian's trumpet concerto - very tidily
played by the principle trumpet of the Philharmonia Orchestra, Mark David. He
demonstrated fine agility in the many lively passages and some beautiful
controlled quiet lyrical playing in the more legato sections.
The exposed slow movement of Shostakovich's 5th Symphony showed Sarah
Hodnett (principle flute), Rosie Curtiss (principle oboe) and Ceri Beaumont
(principle bassoon) all to be in excellent form.
***********************************************************************
29th Jan 2003 - 7:30pm - The Lindsays
Fraser Noble Building, University of Leicester
The performance of Shostakovitch's String Quartet No. 5 (op 92) was
especially powerful.
Through out the concert the playing of Ronald Birks (2nd violin) and
Robin Ireland (viola) was especially enjoyable - both enjoying the prominent
writing in both the Shostakovitch and Schumann's A minor Quartet Op 41 No.
1
***********************************************************************
18th Jan 2003 - 7:30pm - BBC National Orchestra of Wales - Richard
Hickox
St David's Hall, Cardiff, Wales
Some tight rhytmical playing in Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances which
also included serene saxophone playing by John Cooper.
The horns sounded magnificent throughout Tchaikovsky's Fourth
Symphony.
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17th Jan 2003 - 7:30pm - The Philharmonia - Benjamin Zander - Catherine
Wyn-Rogers
(also including Ladies of the London Philharmonic Choir and the Tiffin
Boys Choir)
DeMontfort Hall, Leicester
It was great to hear this magnificent symphony performed in Leicester.
Catherin Wyn-Rogers caught the emotional core of the work beautifully. The off
stage post horn playing by Alistair Mackie was superb.
The concert was preceeded by a well attended talk given by Benjamin
Zander in which his enthusiasm for Mahler in general and this piece in
particular was strking.
***********************************************************************
1st Jan 2003 - 7:30pm - BBC National Orchestra of Wales - Grant
Llewellyn
St David's Hall, Cardiff, Wales
The BBC NOW played with great precision without losing sight of the
dance feel in Chabrier's deceptively tricky 'Espana' - setting a standard which
was maintained throughout the evening.
Other highlights of a somewhat confused programme (a viennese style New
Years Day concert but with a Spanish flavour -featuring the overture to Carmen
as an encore) included a well balanced (ie restrained [but again very tight])
accompaniment in Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez (with Craig Ogden) and a very
speedy performance of Richard Strauss' Don Juan (Spanish?)
***********************************************************************
16th Dec 2002 - 6:00pm - Christmas Concert
Tongwynlais Primary School, Tongwynlais, South Wales
The whole school taking part in a semi-staged operatic presentation of
the Nativity (The Hossana Rock) - complete with every member of the cast
dressed in colourful costumes. The perfect way to get you into the festive
spirit.
***********************************************************************
14th Dec 2002
This is not a review - it's a record of the intense disappointment
that the reviewer was unable to attend the ENO concert performance of Siegfried
because of a severe cold. (Finding a replacement user for the ticket on a
Saturday night this close to Christmas proved impossible).
***********************************************************************
9th Dec 2002 - 7:30pm - The Bardi
Symphony Orchestra - Andrew Constantine - Nikolai Demidenko
DeMontfort Hall, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
A repeat of Saturday's concert to a sell out local audience had similar
qualities in performance
The opening to 1812 showed the fine lower string section playing of the
orchestra
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7th Dec 2002 - 7:30pm - Tchaikovsky Gala Concert -
The Bardi Symphony Orchestra - Andrew
Constantine - Nikolai Demidenko
The City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumbria
Roger Swann = horn
A stirring performance of Capriccio Italien was followed by the
absolutely outstanding piano playing of Nikolai Demidenko in Tchaikovsky's
first piano concerto. Nikolai Demidenko has the ability to produce a huge range
of colour from the piano - and he chooses to do so with great sensitivity and
not a little wit - turning what can often be an 'overplayed' piece into
something of pure magic.
The cornet playing of Trevor Haunsome in the Swan Lake ballet had
warmth and panache.
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23rd Nov 2002 - 7:30pm - Golden Jubilee Concert - Hazel & Michael
Bonshor
Hungarton, Leics
Roger Swann = horn
A concert organised by John Morrison - and having all his hall marks
(unstoppable enthusiasm, copious wine and food during the interval....)
Special guests "Pocket Opera" provided a well thought out pleasingly
presented interlude.
Hazel Bonshor called on her husband to conduct when she sang Rule
Brittania with great gusto!
***********************************************************************
21st Nov 2002 - 7:30pm - Jean Binta Breeze / David 'Stickman'
Higgins
Phoenix Arts, Leicester
A captivating performance presenting a no holds barred womens
perspective on Jamaican life. Ms Breeze used both song and recital (frequently
in combination) to get her message across very persuasively.
David 'Stickman' Higgins supported with a highly energetic
display.
***********************************************************************
20th Nov 2002 - 5:00pm - Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg - The Royal
Opera - Mark Wigglesworth / Graham Vick
The Royal Opera, Covent Garden, London
A very colourful production of Wagner's long but pleasingly refreshing
masterpiece. Jan-Hendrik Rootering sang the role of Hans Sachs as if he could
sing forever.
Top quality playing from the orchestra (wonderful horn playing
throughout) made the inevitable aching posterior completely worthwhile.
***********************************************************************
16th Nov 2002 - 7:45pm - HP Sauce / Hougton Singers / Sax Blue
Houghton on the Hill Village Hall, Leicestershire
Roger Swann = conductor (HP Sauce)
The Houghton Philharmonic Symphonic Assembly Using Children and Elders
were on characteristic form with some fine playing - particularly in John
Dankworth's Tom Sawyer's Saturday (narrated by Andrew Dawes)
Special guests Sax Blue played a varied set of jazzy numbers and proved
a slick set of sax players
***********************************************************************
14th Nov 2002 - 7:30pm - Leicester Symphony Orchestra - Nick Daniel -
Joy Farrall (clarinet)
DeMontfort Hall, Leicester
Joy Farrall played the Mozart clarinet concerto on a Basset Clarinet
and the resulting darker tone worked especially well in the slow movement -
during which Nick Daniel drew some sensitive playing from the orchestra.
The strings made a good sound in parts of Sibelius' second symphony and
there was some accurate timp playing throughout from Hugh McClaren.
***********************************************************************
9th Nov 2002 - 7:30pm - Rutland Sinfonia - Barry Collett - Olivia Ray
(mezzo-sop)
St Peter's Church, Oundle, Northants.
Roger Swann = horn
Barry Collett conducting meant that almost inevitably the musical peaks
of the concert were the two Elgar works. Olivia Ray's powerful but rounded
sound suited the 'Sea Pictures' perfectly.
The brooding atmosphere of Elgar's rarely heard Sospiri (for strings,
organ and harp) was captured very effectively.
***********************************************************************
2nd Nov 2002 - 5:00pm - Die Walkure - Concert performance by English
National Opera - Paul Daniel
The Barbican, London
The same intensity of performance achieved in Das Rheingold (20th Oct)
was continued here.
Paul Daniel certainly knows how to balance Wagner's complex scores -
and the ending was just sublime.
One looks forward to Siegfried with great anticipation....(14th Dec
2002)
***********************************************************************
31st Oct 2002 - 7:30pm - Aida - The Chisinau National Opera
DeMontfort Hall, Leicester
Verdi's grand opera was given a traditional performance of high quality
by this Moldovian opera company - much enjoyed by the sell-out audience.
Fine singing on stage from chorus and all principals was matched by
some quality playing from various sections within the large orchestra
(conducted by Alexandru Samolia).
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30th Oct 2002 - 7:30pm - The Lindsays
Fraser Noble Building, University of Leicester
An especially powerful performance of Bartok's amazing String Quartet
No. 6.
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22nd Oct 2002 - 7:30pm - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra - Simon
Rattle
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Two rarely performed sets of songs by Szymanowski showed the composers
typical souring colourful lace like style.
The concert really came alive in an energetic performance of Ein
Heldenleben by Richard Strauss. Simon Rattle (conducting from memory) drove the
music one throughout, relaxing only briefly to enjoy the beautiful warm rich
sound of the leader (Peter Thomas) portraying Strauss' wife.
***********************************************************************
20th Oct 2002 - 3:00pm - Das Rheingold - Concert performance by English
National Opera - Paul Daniel
The Barbican, London
An absolutely sublime way to spend two and a half hours. Wagner's
magical score was played and sung to the highest quality throughout - this
reviewer had tears running down his cheeks in the first and final scenes.
From a seat close to the front you could hear every word of Jeremy Sams
new English translation and this certainly made one appreciate further the
nuances in Wagners music reflecting the libretto.
It feels absolutely essential to hear Das Rheingold as one continuous
work (as Wagner intended) as presented by ENO. Other concert promoters with an
eye to bar sales for additional income should take note and follow their
artistic rather than commercial urges.
One looks forward to Die Walkure with great anticipation....(2nd Nov
2002)
***********************************************************************
12th Oct 2002 - 3:00pm - Chamber Concert by members of the BBC National
Orchestra of Wales
Studio 1, Broadcasting House, Cardiff, Wales
Dominic Jewel, Emilie Godden, James Opie and Kathryn Harris played
Shostakovich's 7th Quartet (Op 108) as if they were a regular quartet - a
particularly homogenous sound.
Some top class oboe playing by Celia Craig was followed by a fine
performance of Mendelssohn's wonderful Octet by Joseph Swensen, Nick Whiting,
Jane Sinclair, Carl Darby, James Opie, Jim Drummond, John Senter and Keith
Hewitt. Joseph Swensen (who was the driving force behind the whole concert) led
with appropriate vigor but still drew out some subtle playing from the group -
including an especially beautiful tiny rubato hold up in the scherzo.
***********************************************************************
5th Oct 2002 - 7:30pm - BBC National Orchestra of Wales - Richard
Hickox - Steven Isserlis ('cello)
Cheltenham Town Hall, Cheltenham, Gloucs.
The BBC NOW strings were on fine form throughout the evening - the
opening to Weber's Oberon overture had the perfect fairy tale atmosphere.
Steven Isserlis played with great expression in the world premier of
Concerto in Azzuuo, Op 87, by David Matthews This piece takes the unfashionable
step of building on the late romantic style of writing within a basically tonal
framework. An ambitious task but one which resulted in an exciting well
structured piece with some unexpected harmonic progressions almost dissolving
from one to the next. Certainly a piece worthy of further performances.
***********************************************************************
4th Oct 2002 - 8:00pm - Once More Into The Bleach (Blondie tribute
band)
Kibworth School, Kibworth
Lead singer Sam Hill looks every inch the image of Debbie Harry -
complete with how I'm sure Debbie Harry would gaze seductively at men in the
audience [or was it just me she did this to......]. Also impeccable dress sense
(within the Debbie Harry framework) and loads of fast changes.
The band new all the songs inside out - and some of Blondie's best
songs are still great.
Atomic!
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1st Oct 2002 - 7:30pm - The Lindsays
Fraser Noble Building, University of Leicester
Some particularly witty playing during the middle movements of Haydn's
Op 50 No.1 - it was clear that all four players were enjoying themselves
Nathanial Stookey's Quartet No. 1 was played in the presence of the
composer (who's introductory speach suggested he was quite a personable
gentleman). Some enjoyable juxtopostions of styles in the first movement. The
piece closed with some gossamer chorale like chords before coming to halt
without any form of rhythmic or tonal cadence. It would be good to hear his
second quartet in next seasons series of concerts.
***********************************************************************
28th Sept 2002 - 7:30pm - Cameo Brass - Uni-part Ensemble
The Methodist Chapel, Houghton on the Hill, Leics
Roger Swann = horn
A sell out audience heard Cameo Brass in good form (and forced two
encores from the group). Stewart Morris' piccolo trumpet playing in HMS
Pinafore Overture was immaculate.
Special guests, Uni-part Ensemble, provided some welcome variety of
tone for the audience with a performance of Mozarts Oboe Quartet - including an
especially light, relaxed, interpretation of the final movement.
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26th Sept 2002 - 7:30pm - Ariadne auf Naxos - The Royal Opera - Antonio
Pappano / Christof Loy
The Royal Opera, Covent Garden, London
Fine singing from all lead rolls with an especially sexy Zerbinetta
(Marlis Petersen) perhaps stealing the show
The real star was the quality music of Richard Strauss
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21st Sept 2002 - 7:30pm - Rutland Sinfornia Wind Ensemble - Barry
Collett
St Peter's Church, Oundle, Northants
Roger Swann = horn
Rutland Sinfonia's first concert of the season consisted of a pleasant
summers evening of wind music. Barry Collett produced a perfectly judged
ritenuto at the end of the slow movement of Mozart's wind serenade K375.
A break from the wind sound was provided by a couple of short 'cello
pieces played with reasonable intonation by Graham Stevenson
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