Positive Points about Selected Concerts from 2006/07
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Have you tried the new wind / brass
BreveEasy long note practice
software? You can download a free version of this product developed by Roger
Swann from here.
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Here's your reviewer preparing his next devastating summary of a prom
concert.....
Photograph: Christine Taylor - Sept 2007
1st Sept 2007 - 6:30pm - BBC Prom 64 - San Francisco Symphony - Michael Tilson Thomas -
Deborah Voigt (soprano)
Royal Albert Hall, London
A programme of three very contrasting pieces starting with a wistfull
account of Ive's 3rd Symphony ("The Camp Meeting") and ending with
Shostakovich's 5th Symphony.
The meat in the sandwich was provided by the seductive but full voice
of Deborah Voigt taking the role of Salome for the final scene from Richard
Strauss great opera. The orchestral colour was allowed to shine as the gruesome
scene unfolded, with Deborah Voigt seeming to fill the Royal Albert Hall with
ease.
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30th July 2007 - 7:30pm -
BBC Prom 23 - BBC Symphony
Orchestra - Esa-Pekka Salonen - Yefim Bronfman (piano)
Royal Albert Hall, London
The BBC Symphony Orchestra clearly enjoyed the intricate witty writing
in Berlioz' Romeo and Juliet (particularly the strings), with Esa-Pekka Salonen
allowing this effervescent piece to bubble and fiz throughout.
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28th July 2007 - 7:30pm -
BBC Prom 21 - Brass Day -
part 2
Royal Albert Hall, London
The second part of the "Brass Day" was in many ways even more awe
inspiring than the first (see immediately below). Schumann's Konzertstuck never
fails to impress (David Pyatt, Michael Thompson, Martin Owen, Cormac OhAodain)
and neither does Haken Hardenberger, here playing the frightningly complex
piece, Aerial, by HK Gruber.
But the biggest piece of all was Peter Weigold's "He is Armoured
Without" featuring musicans in all quarters of the hall - this was just pure
theatre ! The first time your reviewer has ever been encircled by a ring of
tuba players......
Sir Charles Mackerras conducted the BBC Philharmonic in a very spacious
performance of Janacek's Sinfonietta - bringing a touch of class to wind up the
day.
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28th July 2007 - 2:00pm -
BBC Prom 20 - Brass Day -
part 1
Royal Albert Hall, London
Showing what superb value for money the proms festival represents, this
concert consisted of three sections covering all aspects of brass playing.
The ellegance and sophistication of His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts
was a startling contrast to the exuberance of the four traditional trumpets
from Uzbekistan
Both the Grimethorpe Colliery Band (directed by Allan Withington) and
the Black Dyke Mills band (directed by Nicholas Childs) impressed with their
intonation and rhythmic security.
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25th July 2007 - 8:30pm - COMA East Midlands - Kieran O'Riordan
Doncaster College, Doncaster
Roger Swann = horn
COMA EastMidlands performed the first evening concert as guests of the
COMA national summer school.
Alan Jenkins "New Work" - an improvisation based on his
painting/sculpture reflected the increasingly ominous nature of the source
material.
This concert also featured the second performance of your reviewer's
"Variations and Themes" for piano solo (see 7th July 2007 for the premier).
Antony Clare achieved a particularly enigmatic last note - Bravo !
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14th July 2007 - 6:00pm - Loon (Part of Lichfield Festival FUSE
Event)
Beacon Park, Lichfield
Described as five musical troubadours these six musicians certainly
covered the complete range of orthodox and more unusual instrumentation
(including drums from Zimbabwe, a bassoon and a saw).
Your reviewer returned to Beacon park to enjoy a particularly
spectacular fireworks display - all part of the ride ranging activities under
the umbrella of the Lichfield Festival.
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8th July 2007 - 7:30pm - Knighton Chamber Orchestra - Paul Jenkins -
Mark Penny (horn)
Bishop Street Methodist Church, Town Hall Square, Leicester
It was good to hear the KCO in an accoustic more favourable to a
chamber orchestra.
Mark Penny showed great stamina and technical assurance playing
Mozart's 4th Horn Concerto (K495) and also joining Linda Blackhouse (oboe),
Christine Taylor (clarinet) and Karen Goss (bassoon) for Mozart's Sinfonia
Concertant (K297b).
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7th July 2007 - 7:30pm - COMA East Midlands - Kieran O'Riordan
Djanogly Recital Hall, Lakeside Arts Centre, University of
Nottingham.
Roger Swann = horn
Celebrating 10 years as a viable ensemble, COMA East Midlands gave one
of their most successful concerts ever. The usual wide range of styles
represented included compositions by seven different members of the group (and
one other was by an ex-member).
Anna Claydon's Cascade includes some gently paced overlapping textures
and was enhanced by the composers excellent soprano voice.
This concert also featured the world premier of your reviewer's
"Variations and Themes" for piano solo which was given a performance of the
highest quality (both technically and musically) by the talented pianist Antony
Clare.
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30th June 2007 - 8:00pm - Nois 4
Phoenix Arts, Leicester
Nois 4 are four musicians of brazilian origin - fronted by the
seductive Monica Vasconcelos (and her compelling triange technique - not to
mention her musical apple and pear).
With guitar (Ife Tolentino), Tenor Sax (Ingrid Laubrock) and drums
(Chris Wells) perfectly balanced this gig was the perfect example of how
restraint and control can lead to a much more fullfilling audience experience.
Those (far too numerous bands) who beleive that "loud" equals "good" and
"louder" equals "better" could learn many lessons from Nois 4.
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29th June 2007 - 7:00pm - Leicester Arts In Education Summer Festival
II Concert
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
The Senior Steel Pan Ensemble (directed by Pat Munroe) were hugely
entertaining with co-ordinated vocals and body movements adding to the
"sunshine" atmosphere created by tight ensemble.
The vocal opening of "Variations of a Scottish Folk Song" by Bruce
Fraser also created a n atmospheric effect but this time one of ominous mist
spread across the scottish highlands. The piece throughout was striking in the
range of orchestral colour presented (Festival Wind Band - Jo Conquest).
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29th June 2007 - 7:30pm - Katya Kabanova - Royal Opera - Charles
Mackerras
Great to see Charles Mackerras in his element: conducting music by
Janacek. The score sounds extremely tricky in places with super high string
writing and some startlingly exposed double bass section solos.
Director Trevor Nunn's set emphasised the desponant atmosphere that
pervades much of the work with it's claustraphobic all encompassing spiral
pathways and Cumbrian slate grey colouring.
Janice Watson sung her heart out as Katya and Oleg Bryjak as the drunk
merchant Dikoj acted as if he knew what it was like to have just one drink too
many....
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24th June 2007 - 4:00pm - Houghton Music Club at Rutland Water
Whitwell Car Park, Rutland Water, Rutland
Roger Swann = horn
A cold and very wet afternoon meant that this event was more a tribute
to British eccentricity rather than a successful concert. Very few people
(other than the performers) were around to watch the wind quintet and Houghton
Singers perform against a back drop of grey skies and showers. The music itself
was jolly enough though !
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23rd June 2007 - 7:30pm - The Bardi
Symphony Orchestra - Claus Efland - Javier Negrin (piano)
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
Claus Efland continues to develop the Bardi Orchestra sound - the real
triumph in this concert was the way the orchestra is starting to play like a
team. Good individual performances help (Adam Summerhayes played the expanisve
solo in the slow movement of Brahm's Symphony no 1 with persuasive expression)
but the key to communication with the audience is all members contributing in
every bar.
The enthusiastic applause served as a further evidence of these
positive observations.
It would be unfair not to record the exquisite gossamer touch of Javier
Negrin in the many pianissimo passages in Grieg's Piano Concerto.
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9th June 2007 - 7:30pm - Rutland Elgar Weekend - Isabelle Flory
(violin) - Barry Collett (piano) + friends.
St Mary's Church, Ketton, Rutland.
It's rare for a musician of the quality of Isabelle Flory to perform in
a small rural venue such as St Mary's Church. On such an occasion it's always
good to see (and hear) a near capacity audience listen with intent
concentration - all appreciating the high level of artistic communication on
show. Barry Collett's enthusiasm for Elgar and the support from the
Elgar Society are to be
equally congratulated.
From the very first note (Chanson de Matin) Isabelle Flory demonstrated
her feel for the wistful yet elegant style unique to Elgar. Her playing of the
Elgar Sonate took this to a higher plane, particularly in the slow movement
where Elgar music thins down to a very transparent texture.
After an enjoyable glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Isabelle Flory
and Barry Collett were joined by Elizabeth Murphy (violin), Albert Cortese
(viola) and Melanie Cortese ('cello) for Elgar's Pino Quintet. Again the
sensitivity shown in the slow movement was a highlight.
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23rd May 2007 - 7:30pm - Knighton Chamber Orchestra - Paul Jenkins -
Abigail Johnson (piano)
The Richard Attenborough Centre, University of Leicester
Paul Jenkins continues to experiment with orchestra / audience layout
in this most difficult orchestral performing spaces. The piano sounded very
loud and close (it was close!) from your reviewer's seat.
Placing the trumpets in the balcony worked very well in Bach's Suite No
3 BWV 1068. They sounded magnificent with not a note missed in the testing top
part (Mattias Andersson). It was a shame that the piece began before either
several of the players and most of the audience were ready - the first five
minutes were like a pub gig with people continuing to walk in and take their
seats and the lady behind your reviewer determined to finish her (long) story
and simply raising her voice to be heard over the brass!
Mozart's Haffner Symphony concluded the concert, a sprightly
interpretation with some enjoyable shaping of phrase and dynamics in the cellos
(who impressed throughout the evening).
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22nd May 2007 - 7:30pm - Philharmonia Orchestra Chamber Ensemble
St Philip's Church, Leicester
An unusual chance to hear four string players from the Philharmonia
Orchestra performing string quartets. It also gave the audience the chance to
hear what happens when the two fiddles change seats as they did for the two
halves of the concert (The balance and tone of the ensemble was more convincing
in the second half.
Good individual playing throughout (as one would expect from members of
the Philharmonia) perhaps especially from the two violinists, Emily Davies and
Victoria Irish. There was some interesting use of non-vibrato notes in the
Elgar quartet.
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19th May 2007 - 7:30pm -
Helix Ensemble - Roger Coull - Timothy Bentham (oboe)
St Paul's Church, Woodhouse Eaves, Leics
Roger Swann = horn
Roger Coull's masterful knowledge of string playing is combined with an
ability to create a relaxed atmosphere in which all the players feel able to
deliver their best.
From the opening bars of Jancek's Suite for String Orchestra the
audience in St Paul's Church knew they were in for a treat. The subtle nuances
in the string sound emphasising the varied moods in this rarely heard work. The
mysterious opening of the Adagio lead to a sombre but perfectly executed 'cello
solo (Margaret Chadwick).
Roger Coull introduced the second UK performance of Allan Bevan's "To
Morning" and this was followd by Timothy Bentham proving that he will be a name
to watch out as an oboe solist of the future.
The well received concert finished with a refined, restrained,
sophisticated interpretation of Mozart's Symphony No 29 (K201).
Both Leicestershire audience members and the Ensemble players alike,
look forward to working with Roger Coull for the next Helix Ensemble event on
22nd Sept 2007.
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5th May 2007 - 7:30pm - University of Leicester Sinfonia - Michael
Sackin - Mark Penny, Roger Swann (horns) - Gillian Butcher (piano)
The Fraser Nobel Hall, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
Mark Penny and your reviewer really enjoyed the chance to perform
Haydn's Double Horn Concerto.
A very substantial audience enjoyed Gillian Butcher's performance of
the Introduction and Allegro Op 92. She was very comfortable stretching the
tempos where ever the music needed it allowing the piece to flow.
The concert ended with Schubert's Symphony No 6, including a pleasingly
bouncy minuet and a very delicately played opening to the finale.
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26th April 2007 - 7:30pm - Iolanthe (or the Peer and the Peri) -
Leicester Operatic Players
The Little Theatre, Leicester
It's good for the soul to take in an amateur production of G & S
from time to time - and this one left the soul feeling well nourished, Roberta
Morrell's production emphasising, at every opportunity, the English side of the
humour.
David Lovell (Lord Chancellor) and Alexandra Hopewell (Phyllis) shown
in terms of acting and singing.
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24th April 2007 - 7:30pm - Spaghetti Opera - Opera on the Run
Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall, Woodhouse Eaves, Leics
Village entertainment at its best presented as part of Leicestershire's
"Center Stage" scheme. The two ladies sang really well and the combination of
comedy, opera exerpts and rapid fire visual gags together with a convoluted
plot at least meant that there was something for every taste!
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23rd April 2007 - 7:30pm - The Coul Quartet - Stephen Stirling
(horn)
Butterworth Hall, The Warwick Arts Centre, Warwick
Some witty 'cello pitzicatto in Dvorak's Cypress No 11. It's noticable
how well the second violin, viola and 'cello's tone blend perfectly with the
slightly more forward sound of Roger Coul's fiddle floating on top. Perhaps
this effect was further emphasised by the spacious accoustic of the Butterworth
Hall.
Stephen Stirling joined the quartet for beautifully judged performance
of Glazunov's Idyll (played here in it's original form rather than the more
commonly heard re-scoring by the composer for horn and orchestra). The muted
strings balanced Stephen Stirling's pianissimo tone creating an almost fragile
sound - in places more akin to Takemitsu rather than Glazunov.
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The Coliseum, London.
Philp Glass' opera inspired by early segments of Ghandi's life and
teachings featured some clever lighting and set design, attractive music
(competently conducted by Johannes Debus) and good singing. Singnificantly over
running the scheduled finishing time, your review had to leave before the end
(during a quiet passage of music) in order to (just) catch the 23:15hrs last
train from St Pancras.
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31st March 2007 - 7:30pm - The Bardi
Symphony Orchestra - Claus Efland - Takane Fuatsu (violin)
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
Over the series of rehearsals leading up to this concert Claus Efland
really sold Nielson's Symphony No 2 (The Four Temperaments) to the orchestra.
As a result the final performance was totally committed, energetic and
sparkling with all sections of the band responding enthusiastically to Claus
Effland's (conducting without a score) dynamic leadership.
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27th March 2007 - 7:30pm - Houghton Music Club Spring Concert
The Village Hall, Houghton on the Hill, Leics.
Lance Atter directed the Houghton Orchestra through a sequence of
tuneful music written by English composers of the last century, accompanied by
very informative and comprehensive progamme notes. Among many enjoyable moments
in this wisely chosen repetoire were the lyrical "O Mary Soft in Feature"
movement and the well paced muted string movement "Minutet by Mr Stanley" -
both taken from Adam Carse's suite of Georgian Tunes.
John Rutter as ever impressed with his writing for choir - the Houghton
Singers (Director Helen Noble) performing both his arrangement of "The Lord of
the Dance" and "I will sing with the Spirit"
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25th March 2007 - 7:30pm - Dennis Brain 50th Anniversary Concert
Djanogly Recital Hall, Lakeside Arts Centre, University of
Nottingham.
A concert featuring first performances of Peter Maxwell Davies' work
"Fanfare - Salute to Dennis Brain" in both it's solo version (Michael Thompson)
and ensemble version. Michael Thompson's first half recital also included
Britten's Canticle III (with the sweet tenor voice of Stephen Williams) with
serene half stopped notes blending with the voice in the final moments of the
piece. Alan Bush's "Trent's Broad Reaches" is a calm relaxed minature - and
Michael Thompson ended with La Basque (Main Marais) played with grace and
delicacy.
The second half was althogether more rombustuous as Stephen Robert's
arrangements of six of Dennis Brains eight Desert Island Disc recordings were
brought to life by the "Festival horns" (based on the Ulster Orchestra horn
section and two members from Opera North's horn section).
The Battle Scene from Ein Heldenleben can only be described as crazy!
Perhaps what groups of horns like this do best though are the simple more
elegant settings - here beautifully represented by "Down by the Sally
Gardens".
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23rd March 2007 - 7:30pm - Scaw - Sarah Watts (bass clarinet) - Antony
Clare (piano)
The Congregational Hall, Castle Gate, Nottingham
An intriguing mixture of pieces including several with pre-recorded
sound-tracks.
Antony Clare's "Scawfell" perhaps exhibited the best sense of
structure: a basic arch with a staccatto motif based coda which helped make it
one of the more successful works in the concert. He was also wise enough to
make the bass clarinet sound like a bass clarinet - using the low register to
the full.
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17th March 2007 - 7:30pm - The Knighton Chamber Orchestra - Paul
Jenkins - Ceri Beaumont (bassoon).
Richard Attenborough Centre, University of Leicester
A heavy imbalance towards the string sections, perhaps resulting
because of the unusual siting of the orchestra surrounded by the audience (your
reviewer was able to hold a very comfortable conversation with two of the desks
of first violins between the items) actually helped the performance of
Beethoven's 1st Symphony. The strings were positively fizzing throughout the
three quicker movements.
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17th March 2007 - 2:00pm - Leicester Arts In Education Afternoon
Concert
Holy Trinity Church, Leicester
Sally Smith and the Intermediate Strings were as impressive as ever.
Great attention to dynamics keeps the music interesting - for example in Simon
Foxley's arrangement of Kuffner's Polka where there was also a good stirring
passage from the 'cello and bass sections.
Rebecca Oughton and Hayley Taylor provided some light relief with a
very witty rendition of "Teddy Bear's Picnic" for two bassoons.
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7th March 2007 - 7:30pm - The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra - Sir Simon
Rattle
The Barbican Hall, London
It was good to see the Berlin Philharmonic warmly applauding Sir Simon
- he is obviously well settled in. The UK premier of Thomas Ades' Tevot proved
to be a bit of virtuouso show piece for the orchestra, culiminating in a well
written extended fugue including a scarily exposed opening statement from the
picolo.
The orchestra finished the evening with an outstanding performance of
Janacek's Sinfonietta featuring brass playing of the highest possible
quality.
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3rd March 2007 - 7:30pm - The Rutland Sinfonia - Peter Wadl - Rebecca
Hewes ('cello)
St Peter's Church, Oundle, Northants
Some assured string playing at the opening of Beethoven's Overture
Leonore No. 3 got the audience on the side of the orchestra right from the
start. The off-stage trumpet was good too (Bob Rennard).
The flute playing of Kristi Newton was most enjoyable - she achieves a
lightness of touch that was most appropriate for both the Beethoven and also
Dvorak's Symphony No. 8
The presence of the Palmer's chocolate stand was an added bonus to the
event.
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24th Feb 2007 - 7:30pm - The Avondale Ensemble - Barry Collett
The Methodist Church, Houghton on the Hill, Leics
Roger Swann = Horn
John Worthington was present to hear the premier of his four well known
song arrangements for wind octet. The orchestration cleverly avoided the trap
of being too weighty resulting in a set of witty colourful pieces with a
pleasing feeling of clarity.
The second half of the the concert (played to a capacity audience) was
Dvorak's wind serenade. Directed by Barry Collett, the group kept the tempo of
the slow movement from feeling sluggish such that the tiny relaxation over the
last few bars was very satisfying.
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23rd Feb 2007 - 7:30pm - The Nero String Quartet
Richard Attenborough Centre, University of Leicester
The world premier of Ben Palmer's String Quartet No. 1 (commissioned
with funds from the Kenneth Page Foundation) showed the Nero String Quartet at
their best. A very atmospheric opening was followed by a whispy nostalga for
the snippets of Purcell songs that were exposed like the accidental glimpse of
a maiden's petticoat. The piece is certainly a worthwhile addition to the
repetoire and deserves further performances.
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17th Feb 2007 - 7:30pm - The Bardi
Symphony Orchestra - Andrew Constantine - Nikolai Demidenko (Piano)
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
The Bardi orchestra enjoyed the chance to work with it's founder Andrew
Constantine and long time supporter and regular guest Nikolai Demidenko. All
the orchestra played well including those in charge of the wide array of
percussion instruments demanded by Kodaly in his Hary Janos Suite.
Rachel Calverley carressed the 'cello solo in the slow movement of
Brahms Second Piano Concerto to match the soft lyrical playing of the
soloist.
The first class playing of Mark Penny (principal horn) was also worthy
of note - achieving power and robustness when required but also playing with
appropriate restraint and sensitivity in the exposed solos in the Brahms.
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27th Jan 2007 - 7:30pm - Piers Lane (piano)
Uppingham School Memorial Hall, Uppingham, Rutland
Piers Lane demonstrated the wide dynamic range he can produce from a
mere piano! Particularly effective in Schumann's Carnival (op 9) where his
beautiful lightness of touch in places was achieved without the pianist (but
not the audience) being distracted by audible clock tower bells and roaring
powerful motorbikes.
Chopin's Two Nocturnes (op 48) were seriously intense.
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20th Jan 2007 - 7:30pm - University of Leicester Sinfonia - Michael
Sackin - Anthony Alcock (Double Bass)
Richard Attenborough Centre, University of Leicester
Roger Swann = Horn
A chance to hear one of Mendelssohn's String Symphonies (No 10 in B
minor) reminded the audience what exquisite pieces they are. The strings were
sounding on fine form, as they also were whilst accompanying Anthony Alcock who
made a welcome return as soloist in Biovanni Bottesini's second double bass
concerto. He flies around the instrument with ease (an audience member
commented "I didn't know such notes existed on the double bass") yet makes his
instrument sing lyrically at every opportunity (particularly effective in the
slow middle movement).
There was a marvellous bit of playing from the unsung heros in the
viola section towards the end of Puccini's I Crisantemi (performed using the
transcription by Yoav Talmi).
The concert was rounded off by an appropriately fisky account of
Gounod's Symphony No. 1 in D major.
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2nd Dec 2006 - 7:45pm - The Charnwood Orchestra - Nic Fallowfield -
Thomas Guthrie (tenor)
All Saints Parish Church, Loughborough, Leics.
Roger Swann = horn
This orchestra always enjoy's it's playing - to such an extent that
this can't help but communicate itself to the audience. Certainly the bombastic
percusion in the Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique must have done ! Very
appropriate to have the bell tolls played on genuine church bells from the
Loughborough Bell Foundry.
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28th Nov 2006 - 7:00pm - Leicester Arts In Education Christmas
Concert
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
A typical eclectic mix of music and dance all done with enthusiasm and
gusto so that what might be the rather disconcerting experience of hearing two
different versions of "Frosty the Snowman" in the same concert when it is still
only November in fact seemed completely satisfactory.
Amongst many highlights was the Intermediate String Orchestra's "My
Favourite Things" (Conducted with admirable command by Sally Smith) and the
Junior Steel Pan Ensemble (directed by Pat Munroe) doing a calypso version of
Danny Boy (and attributing it to Jim Reeves in the programme).
The playing of the Senior Brass Ensemble conducted by Alan Holford set
the standard that the groups made of younger players can aspire to.
Your reviewer now feels ready to deal with the onslaught of quality
sherry and copious Christmas pudding that the festive season tends to
involve.......
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25th Nov 2006 - 7:30pm - The Bardi
Symphony Orchestra - Sian Edwards - Tom Poster (Piano)
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
Two artists new to the Bardi Orchestra both made their mark on this
concert presented to a large and appreciative audience. Tom Posters fleetness
of fingers and unpretentious interpretation of Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto
deserved the thunderous applause it received.
Sian Edward's gently persuasive approach, coupled to her close
attention to detail won the orchestra over during rehearsals. Her beat was
always accurate and secure, but certainly not restrained with some particularly
indulgent rubatto tempo changes in the 2nd Movement of Tchaikovsky's fifth
symphony testing the band to the limit. Listeners and players alike would
welcome her back for further concerts.
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23rd Nov 2006 - 7:30pm - Jools Holland and his band + guests
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
This evening was padding along enjoyably, with Jools Holland, the
consumate showman and reasonable piano player that he is, milking twelve bar
blues based songs to the limit. His special guest Ruby Turner struck an
impressive figure. But the event didn't really take off until the arrival of
"extra special" guest Lulu. She's now 58 but she can still sing "shout" like
she did in 1964 - and she almost looks like she did way back then too. Quite
remarkable - a real star quality performance.
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The Queen Elizabeth Hall, London
An evening devoted to two works by Helmut Lachenmann found the London
Sinfonietta doing what they do best, namely tackling virtuosic scores with
accuracy and flare, selling the music to everyone in the audience. The presence
of the composer gave the event an extra sparkle.
Concertini featured two small ensembles in the midst of the audience,
as well as the conventional (??) main group on stage, complete with carefully
applied amplification to creat a myriad of sound that was fascinating.
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de Montfort Hall, Leicester
The orchestra is to be congratulated on it's choice of a very
sophisticated set of pieces under the title "A Night at the Movies". Whilst
including some of the obvious crash/bang moments of film score magic the
concert also included much delicate and polished music which allowed different
sections of the orchestra the opportunity to shine. In all cases this
opportunity was seized and used to great effect: the strings in particular were
sounding on top form and leader Mike Shaw showed his colours during the solo
from Schindler's List.
Equally worthy was Christine Grigg's lyrical oboe work in "Gabriel's
Oboe" from The Mission, and Jonathan Thompson's expressive trumpet solo at the
start of the music from Dances with Wolves.
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17th Nov 2006 - 7:15pm - Peter Grimes -
Opera North
Theatre Royal, Nottingham
A well judged production - you find yourself leaving the theatre in a
pensive mood without being certain of just who is the guilty party. The
behaviour of the mob was an especially disturbing scene. All the main
characters were well performed - particularly the two lead roles, Peter Grimes
(Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts) and Ellen Orford (Giselle Allen).
The orchestra of Opera North, under the baton of Richard Farnes, seemed
to relish Britten's demanding score. There was a really moving extended viola
solo towards the end of the second act (Viola: Howard Breakspear).
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11th Nov 2006 - 7:30pm - The Bonzo
Dog Doo Dah Band (with Phil Jupitus and Adrian Edmondson)
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
They don't come any more jam packed than this dazzling display of, well
of everything really. Slick well timed gags mixed up with dis-organised chaos.
Songs which the sold out de Montfort Hall audience knew off by heart.
Some virtuosic saw playing from Vernon Dudley Bohay-Nowell and a great
demonstration of the dangers of sword swallowing from Sam Spoons were two from
a long list of peaks. And all the songs were/are memorable.
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3rd Nov 2006 - 7:30pm - "Two People Opera"
Jilin City Theatre, Jilin City, Jilin Province, China
"Two People Opera" is the direct translation of this event. It actually
turned out to be Jilin City's answer to the royal variety show.
The hightlight was a girl in a short red skirt who played a mean tune
with sticks on a row of bowls - and her comic partner who played a reedy
instrument (best translation: Suo Na) at first rather conventionally and then
as the music headed towards a Maynard Ferguson type peak he had some attachment
that meant he could play it by blowing through his nose. He then proceeded to
stuff six cigarettes in his mouth (all lit) and smoke them whilst continuing to
play. He then continued to play (still blowing through his nose) whilst eating
a hunk of water melon. His final trick was to retun to normal mouth blowing,
have two fairly short cigarettes (lit) which then disappeared into his mouth
(no hands - just his tongue) - he played for another 30s then removed the
instrument and with a flick of his tongue the cigarettes re-appeared still lit
for him to finish off.......
This enjoyable evening was completed by a trip to a Korean restaurant
where the clams were cooked (more accurately half cooked) on the BBQ and we
selected an eel that was alive brought to the table in a net during the
ordering process. A fine test for the stomach which it just about
passed.......
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19th Oct 2006 - 7:00pm - Bird of the Night
Linbury Studio Theatre, The Royal
Opera House, Covent Garden, London
Dominique Le Gendre's first full length opera gave her a chance to
portray some of the folk lore legends from her native island of Trinidad. A
fascinating colourful production (more flames - remember: "The ROH does do
flames well") with some enjoyable blood letting in the voodoo type scenes
(Director Ireina Brown).
Conductor Yuval Zorn seemed to know the score intimately. The
Britten Sinfonia again
demonstrated their versatility. There was some lovely solo work from Jacqueline
Shave (violin) and and Martin Outram (viola).
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17th October 2006 - 7:45pm - Houghton Music Club - Performers
Evening
Houghton on the Hill, Leics
A typically eclectic evening - with the musical highlight being the
horn duets played by John Morrison and Nick Taub. They make a little in
technique but they certainly made up for this in terms of volume of energy and
enthusiasm. Splendid ! Exactly what Houghton Music Club is about.
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15th October 2006 - 7:40pm - The Avondale Wind Ensemble
The Lady Anne's Hotel, Stamford
Roger Swann = horn
A post dinner performance in aid of "Friends of Stamford Hospital" gave
seventy diners the chance to hear a varied program including Mozart's E flat
Wind Serenade. The replete audience gave the group full attention and the
ensemble responded with some tight playing, including a sensitive rendition of
the tricky slow movement.
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14th October 2006 - 7:30pm - Derwent Singers - Helix Ensemble - Richard Roddis -
Natalie Cifton-Griffiths (sop) - James Gumpert (alto) - Marc Finer (tenor) -
Jeremy Leaman (bass)
Derby Cathedral, Derby
Splendid singing from the small (but perfectly formed) group The
Derwent Singers, with Richard Roddis ensuring crisp vocal diction throughout
and getting some resounding fortissimo climaxes.
In Haydn's Nelson Mass the four soloists shone - In the Quoniam they
were particularly well matched.
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7th Oct 2006 - 7:30pm - The Bardi
Symphony Orchestra and Chorus- Claus Efland - Jenny Saunders (sop) Cerys
Jones (alto) Kevin Ferguson (ten) Stewart Kempster (bass).
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
The first Bardi concert of the season, with all eyes on Claus Efland,
his first outing as their principal guest conductor. He secured some excellent
playing from the percusion section (led by Tim Neal) and the clarinet variation
in Britten's Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra was imaculate (Andy Piper
and Robert Calow). But most of all what impresses is the quality [and quantity]
of sound he generates from the strings. The viola variation was a striking
example of this.
The opening of the slow movement of Beethoven's Choral Symphony was
perfectly judged, and the chorus sung with great gusto to bring the concert to
a joyous conclusion, a tribute to their chorus master, Giles Turner.
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23rd Sept 2006 - 7:30pm - The Rutland Sinfonia - Peter Wadl - Rebecca
Hewes ('cello)
Oakham School Chapel, Oakham, Rutland
Roger Swann = horn
It was an honour to be invited to play with Rutland Sinfonia in their
opening concert of the season, especially since the programme included three
masterpieces.
Humperdinck's Overture to Hansel and Gretel sounded great in the
generous accoustic of Oakham School Chapel, which is to become the new home of
the Sinfonia.
One of the highlights of the performance of Tchaikovsky's Fourth
Symphony was the oboe solo in the 2nd movement, very lyrically played by George
Brown.
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