** Positive Points about Various Concerts **
Season - 2014/2015
***********************************************************************
24th Aug 2015 - 19:30 hrs -
BBC Prom 53 - Philharmonia
Orchestra - Philharmonia Voices - Esa-Pekka Salonen - David Fray (piano)
Royal Albert Hall, London
Your reviewer found himself in a seat to the right hand side of the
orchestra (Stalls M/5/117) and enjoyed the very different acoustic to that
experienced when promming in the arena. From here the hall sounded brighter
with a distinct audible echo (from the back of the hall?).
Starting with a colourful performance of Bartok's complete score for
"The Miraculous Mandarin" (the complete version includes a small part for choir
- The Philharmonia voices groaning with ecstasy and anguish to good effect) and
following this with an understated but very polished performance of Mozart's
Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor (K491) the first half really demonstrated the
versatility of this magnificent orchestra, with their strong but sophisticated
(and beautifully in tune) string section.
The second half was one of those events that only the BBC proms does!
Shostakovich's sketch for the prologue of an opera "Orango" orchestrated (very
skillfully capturing the voice of Shostakovich) by Gerard McBurney and
featuring a vast orchestra and eleven Russian soloists imported especially for
the performance together with dancer Rosie Kay. Loud, witty and satirical this
was a lot of fun, intended as the introduction for a grand piece that one might
expect to have much darker ironies as the work continued.
***********************************************************************
5th Aug 2015 - 18:30 hrs -
BBC Prom 26 - BBC National
Orchestra of Wales - Tadaaki Otaka - Ailish Tynan (sop) - Chloe Hanslip
(violin)
Royal Albert Hall, London
Two rarities here: Vaughan Williams Violin Concerton in D minor
"Concerto accademico" was followed by Grace Williams' "Fairest of Stars" based
on an extract from Milton's Paradise Lost. Ailish Tynan really projected this
piece to her audience without sacrificing any technical security (and it is
certainly a challenging bit of writing). As an example of musical performance
this was exemplary.
Tadaaki Otaka drew some exciting taut playing from the musicians
throughout the orchestral show piece of Walton's Second Symphony.
***********************************************************************
2nd Aug 2015 - 20:00 hrs -
BBC Prom 23 - BBC Scottish
Symphony Orchestra - Chorus of Deutsche Oper Berlin - Donald Runnicles - Angela
Meade (sop) - Karen Cargill (mezzo) - Yosep Kang (ten) - Raymond Aceto
(bass)
Royal Albert Hall, London
The sell out audience greeted Donald Runnicles arrival at the podium
with the warm welcome due to an "old friend" at the proms. Once again he
delivered a performance of striking precision and punctuation with seemingly
little conducting effort and with passion and tension in equally large
measures. The vast dynamic range he gets from all orchestral sections is
something others should learn from.
In front of all this Italian power were the two leading ladies (both
significant roles) who sang magnificently.
Members of theHoughton Music Club trip to the proms: Rachel, Alan, Nan,
Roger, Debbie and Jenny.
( Photograph: A helpful fellow prom queue member called Val)
***********************************************************************
2nd Aug 2015 - 15:30 hrs -
BBC Prom 22 - Aurora
Orchestra - BBC Proms Youth Ensemble - Nichollas Collon - Francesco Piemontesi
(piano)
Royal Albert Hall, London
The Aurora Orchestra are still a relatively new ensemble (formed in
2005) and the average age of the members must be lower than most of the other
orchestras in the UK, yet they play with an impressive sense of unity which
makes the strings sound sublime. They are a band of subtlety and polish when
playing Mozart (Piano Concerto No. 26 in D maj, K537 'Coronation' played with
equal refinement by soloist Francesco Piemontesi) and Beethoven (Symphony No.
6, Pastoral). Playing the Beethoven from memory sounds a bit of a party trick
but the resulting interpretation reveals otherwise. All the players looked like
they were enjoying the freedom the lack of sheet music allowed.
The concert was not just about beauty of tone though. The proms premier
of Brett Dean's Pastoral Symphony (written in 2000) showed power and complexity
in large doses with the composer adding a layer of electronically created sound
to the orchestra.
Not for the first time in these pages, leader Thomas Gould
impressed.
***********************************************************************
4th July 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Melton Mowbray Choral Society - James
Gutteridge
St. Mary's Church, Melton Mowbray
Roger Swann = horn
The Melton Mowbray Choral Society has been running for four years and
this was their most ambitious programme to date: a performance of the Requiem
by Karl Jenkins. Featuring two horns and a solo flute this unusual
orchestration allowed your reviewer the chance to sit on the front row of the
orchestra - a rare opportunity indeed! The choir gave a strong performance with
good volume given the number of singers. Conductor James Gutteridge encouraged
projection from the voices whilst never neglecting his ensemble players. The
performance deserved the good sized audience that turned up to this beautiful
church.
***********************************************************************
24th June 2015 - 19:45 hrs - The Corridor - The Cure - Conductor
Geoffrey Paterson - Elizabeth Atherton (sop) - Mark Padmore (tenor)
Birtwistle's familiar territory retelling greek myths. Both definitely
given a complexity and perspective not normally associated with these tales.
The Corridor (dating from 2009) implied that Eurydice was quite settled in the
underworld and did not need Orpheus interferring and The Cure (receiving it's
premier performances) suggested that Medea bringing the aged Aeson back to his
youth may not have been as helpful as she intended.
Two top class singers (great to enjoy clear diction in the Linbury
Theatre acoustic) were matched by the superb ensemble of six musicians of the
London Sinfonietta.
***********************************************************************
21st June 2015 - 19:30 hrs -
University of
Leicester Sinfonia - Michael Sackin - Sarah Humber (mezzo).
Fraser Noble Hall, University of Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
It was a privilege to accompany (and listen to) Sarah Humber revelling
in Mahler's Five Rückert Lieder. Perhaps not the easiest hall to get the
perfect balance but both orchestra and conductor captured some of the intense
passion expressed in these short works. Michael Sackin deserves recognition for
his continued enthusiasm for creative, enterprising, programming.
***********************************************************************
20th June 2015 - 19:30 hrs -
Leicester Symphony
Orchestra - Leicester Philharmonic Choir - Junior Choirs of Leicester
Grammar School and Ratcliffe College - John Andrews - Jeni Bern (sop)
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
A whoopy evening, ending up like a huge Karaoke event (all the crowd
singing along to Abba and Queen numbers). Jeni Bern did a great job with the
demands of different styles of music and John Andrews' banter with the audience
was pitched at the right level. The band were not distracted by the fun going
on around them, playing tightly throughout.
***********************************************************************
20th June 2015 - 14:00 hrs - Clarendon Park Art Beat Festival -
Classical Open Mic
Christchurch, Clarendon Park Road, Leicester.
Roger Swann = horn
The enterprising Clarendon Park Art Beat festival provided a chance for
local musicians to perform to a receptive audience. This was an opportunity to
play Alan Bush's "Trent's Broad Reaches" with local pianist Emily Turfus.
Perhaps the most striking of the afternoon's performers was the 10 year old
Jonathan Speiser playing unaccompanied Bach on a fiddle and Chopin on the
piano. A name to watch out for in the future.
***********************************************************************
19th June 2015 - 19:45 hrs - Houghton Music Club "Performer's
Evening"
St Catharine's Church, Houghton on the Hill, Leics.
Roger Swann = horn
A classic Houghton Music Club "Performer's Evening" with wide ranges of
music, performance standards and age groups represented. Exactly the type of
event that Rodney Newman, the founder of the music club, might have had in mind
all those years ago. It was great to hear Nicole Brown ably demonstrate that
not all youngsters spend their whole lives glued to mobile devices and Ron
Berry made the relatively recently refurbished church organ sound just
grand!
***********************************************************************
6th June 2015 - 19:30 hrs -
Knighton Chamber
Orchestra - Paul Jenkins - Charlotte Howes (mezzo) - So-Yon Kim
(violin)
Fraser Noble Hall, University of Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
Two top class soloists made this evening rather special. Although still
a very young voice, Charlotte Howes already has the ideal Wagnerian sound and
she used this to great effect in Wagner's Five Wesendonck Songs.
After a beautifully played (and technically secure) performance of the
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto No. 1 So-Yon Kim used the deservedly warm reception
she received as an excuse to present one of Eugène Ysaÿe's
musically satisfying but fiendishly difficult unaccompanied violin sonatas.
Breathtaking!
***********************************************************************
5th June 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Kilby Concert
Kilby United Reformed Church, Kilby, Leicestershire.
Roger Swann = horn
An enjoyable village evening with a wide variety of performers all
accompanied by black birds singing through the open windows. The evening ended
with the local Shadows tribute band "Out of the Shadows".
***********************************************************************
25th May 2015 - 19:30 hrs -
The Charnwood Orchestra - Nic Fallowfield -
Ruth Rogers (violin)
St Stephan's Church, Bournemouth, Dorset
The enterprising Charnwood Orchestra on tour in Dorset gave them a
chance to play in this wonderful church. If a little clarity was lost because
of the "generous" acoustic the pleasure that conductor and orchestra get from
performing was still immediately felt.
Starting with the rarely heard overture by Glinka: "A Life for the
Tsar", the Russian theme continued with Ruth Roger's not being frightened to
stamp her bold interpretation on Tchaikovsky's violin concerto. All her ideas
were interesting., some perhaps being more musically effective than others. Her
intonation was excellent throughout.
Ending with Brahm's magnificently ominous fourth symphony, the energy
in the third movement was particularly exciting.
***********************************************************************
12th May 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Krol Roger - Antonio Pappano
Szymanowksi's rarely performed opera (and the only opera known to your
reviewer with his name in the title) is a very densly scored luscious bit of
writing in the composer's very distinctive style. You don't always know what
key you are in buy you always feel the passion in the writing and Szymanowksi
certainly knows how to write for high strings.
It was fascinating to hear the polish language sung on stage. A very
different sound to the European languages.
***********************************************************************
10th May 2015 - 15:00 hrs - The
Bardi Orchestra - Claus Efland
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
Claus Efland really does seem to have a natural affinity for the music
of English composers. Walton's Crown Imperial was played with staggering
precision whilst still retaining great excitement and passion. The tension
developed through the opening extended crescendo was palpable.
The performance of Walton's Symphony No. 1 was equally impressive. This
really is a vast complex canvass crammed full of Walton's characteristic
orchestral colours which the orchestra brought out to the full.
It was good to see some younger faces in the audience, a benefit of the
15:00 hrs start.
***********************************************************************
9th May 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Cantamici - The Leicester Rock
Choir - David Necklen - Sarah Stevens
St John the Baptist Church, Leicester
A concert supporting the Jayne Morley Memorial Fund for young
musicians, this event presented a very eclectic range of musical styles. Sarah
Stevens presented the Leicester Rock Choir with her usual dynamism (the
phenomena of the Rock Choir organisation is ten years old this year) and the
final set of close harmony songs performed by Cantamici included some very
attractive arrangements of some well loved "standards".
It was good to get a chance to hear the church organ in action: John
Morley playing George Thalben-Ball's Elegy but perhaps the highlight was the
opening set of various Christian faith related songs. Deus Qui Illuminas by
Julio Dominguez (b. 1965) included some perfectly judged rippling echo effects
that sounded perfect in the church acoustic.
***********************************************************************
5th May 2015 - 19:45 hrs - The Virtue of Things - Conductor Richard
Baker
A joint commision by Royal Opera, Alderburgh Music and Opera North
(music by Matt Rogers, Libretto Sally O'Reilly) dealing with a favourite opera
subject, the relative values of human feelings and the human artistic creations
and ending in traditional operatic style with three out of the (universally
excellent) cast dead was never the less full of original moments. Using illness
to blur the lines between realism and the complexities of the mind worked
well.
***********************************************************************
3rd May 2015 - 15:30 hrs - Helix Ensemble - David Greed
(conductor and violin)
St Thomas. Church, Kendal, Cumbria
Roger Swann = horn
A memorial concert celebrating the life of Anice Patterson, one of the
founders of the Helix Ensemble back in 1992 drew a large audience of her
friends, relations and colleagues from many parts of Britain.
The concert included Stravinsky's Dumbarton Oaks (a piece programmed by
Anice Patterson in the first Helix concert), Mozart's G minor Symphony No. 40
and Dvorak's Romance for violin and orchestra played with sublime phrasing by
David Greed. Your reviewer couldn't ask for a more enjoyable set of horn parts
to play! David Greed's style of musical direction allows the ensemble members
to play to the best of their abilites whilst still encouraging precision,
dynamics and style to be top priorities.
Their was a fantastic range of colours, always completely appropriate,
from Kate Fox on the clarinet.
Members of the Helix Ensemble relaxing after the Saturday afternoon
walk, clockwise around the table from the left: Annette Negus, Jo Conquest,
Martin Cresswell, George Fletcher, Naomi Turner, David Greed, Roger Swann.
( Photograph: A helpful afternoon drinker in the Rifleman's Arms)
***********************************************************************
30th April 2015 - 19:15 hrs - Flute Showcase - Jo Conquest
Guthlaxton College, Wigston, Leics.
Surrounded by flautists of all ages, Jo Conquest (ably assisted by
Marguerite Beatson at the piano) presented a varied programme to an audience of
enthusiastic parents, grand parents and siblings etc. All the younger players
played their hearts out (bowing had also obviously been talked about during
flute lessons too). The teenager’s showing was impressive both in terms of
execution and the range of repertoire presented.
Jo Conquest’s standing in the flute world allowed her to persuade
Lisa Nelson to appear as a special guest to show all present the standards that
should be their target.
***********************************************************************
25th April 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Houghton Singers - Helen Noble
Houghton on the Hill Village Hall, Houghton on the Hill, Leics.
A varied programme presented by Houghton Singers included several
amusing readings (all read extremely well by individual choir members) and a
subset of the main choir sounding very secure in pitch singing Molly Malone.
The selection from Rogers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music was especially
enjoyable.
The main work of the evening was a performance of Fauré's
Requiem. Brave accompanist, Malcolm Lomax, did his best to convey the composers
orchestral colours on the village hall upright piano and soprano Bethany Brown
calmly soared through the Pie Jesu, showing more than a touch of class.
***********************************************************************
21st April 2015 - 19:30 hrs - The Wild Man of the West Indies -
English Touring Opera
English Touring Opera brought a Donizetti rarity to Leicester, but what
a fascinating mix it turned out to be. Some very funny moments (often aided by
the excellent acting of Peter Brathwaite as the slave Kaidama) but also some
god Donizetti passion too, enjoyed to the full by the powerfully voiced Sally
Silver (Eleonora) and the remarkably wide range of tenor (soprano?) Nicholas
Sharratt (Fernando).
English Touring Opera always seem to travel with a quality orchestra
and tonight was no exception. The conductor was Jeremy Silver.
***********************************************************************
20th April 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Il Turco In Italia - Evielino Pido
An evening of pure froth, but with the benefit of Rossini's exquite
music. Lots or primary colours on stage and many visual gags to go with the
witty libretto all added to this enjoyable evening's entertainent.
***********************************************************************
11th April 2015 - 12:30 hrs - Madama Butterfly - Nicola Luisotti
Nicola Luisotti conducted as if in passionate love with every bar of
Puccini's luscious score. He let the lead singers enjoy every single fermata to
the full and positively beamed with pleasure when band and singers were
perfectly united when the rhythm restarted - which they were on every occasion.
The top class singing and acting of Ana Maria Martinez as Butterfly and Brian
Jagde as particularly believable bounder of an American was all the more
spectacular by the cast list revelation that both were hurried replacements for
the advertised singers.
***********************************************************************
28th March 2015 - 19:30 hrs -
The Hinckley Choral Union -
University of Leicester Sinfonia - Richard Archer - Michael Sackin - Martha
Hayward (sop) - Alison York (alto) - Giles Turner (ten) - Clive Hilton
(Bass).
The United Reformed Church, Hinckley, Leicestershire.
Roger Swann = horn
Four excellent soloists (who's pitching seemed remarkably secure and
assured given the somewhat erratic intonation of the orchestra) helped bring
Dvorak's Stabat Mater to life.
The first half of the concert included the University of Leicester
Sinfonia's second performance of David Fisher's Augsburg Elegy. Some of the
complex interweaving passages were significantly more effective than the
earlier performance. It always adds greatly to the atmosphere of a concert
when, as in this case, the composer was present for the performance.
***********************************************************************
17th March 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Dara - adapted by Tanya Ronder from
Shahid Nadeem's original play.
The Lyttelton Theatre, The
National Theatre, South Bank, London.
A fascinating insight into the relationship between the two sons of
Shah Jahan, Dara Sikoh (born 1615) and Aurangzeb (born 1618). The conflict
between the two approaches to Islam is as relevant today as it was then, with
the single mindedness of Auranzeb resulting in violence and killing.
***********************************************************************
14th March 2015 - 19:30 hrs -
The Melton Mowbray Orchestra -
Nan Ingrams - Lauren Taylor ('cello)
Hungarton Village Hall, Hungarton, Leics.
A fund raising concert (funds going towards the repair of Hungarton
church retaining wall) gave a chance for the Melton Mowbray Orchestra to play
to an enthusiastic local audience. Their programme included a well prepared
performance of Beethoven's first Symphony. Some impressive watching of the
conductor in the viola section and a very sound double reed section (two oboes
and two bassoons playing as a team with more than reasonable intonation) were
two obvious strengths of the orchestra.
Interval wine and a varied range of nibbles added to the pleasure of
the event and your reviewer winning a bottle of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon was
the icing on the cake!
***********************************************************************
10th March 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny -
Mark Wigglesworth
A chance to hear Kurt Weil's last collaboration with Bertolt Brecht. A
strange piece which perhaps needed a little more grime and seediness than the
ROH is capable of. Quite an amazing set (Es Devlin) and a steadily depressing
ending.
***********************************************************************
8th March 2015 - 19:30 hrs -
Knighton Chamber
Orchestra - Paul Jenkins - Nicky Bingham (sop) - Chris Marlow (baritone) -
Steve Kantor (poetry reading)
Fraser Noble Hall, University of Leicester
An ambitious programme (from the performer's perspective) gave the
audience a chance to enjoy both the sets of American Songs by Aaron Copland
(written/arranged in 1950 and 1952) with the excellent Nick Bingham and Chris
Marlow both imaginatively dressed as if they'd come straight off the set of
"Oklahoma".
The real attraction of the evening was the performance of John Adam's
"Son of Chamber Symphony". If a little clarity was lost because of the all
pervading echo of the Fraser Noble Hall, this was still and exciting event
executed with confidence and panache.
Leading the orchestra, Natasha Pattinson rose to the technical
challenges presented by this demanding programme.
***********************************************************************
1st March 2015 - 19:00 hrs - St Martin's Sinfonia - Nan Ingrams -
Christine Taylor (clarinet) - David Lovell Brown (organ).
St. Peter's Church, Empingham, Rutland
Roger Swann = horn
Mozart's very first symphony K16 was the curiosity in this programme.
It works remarkably well given that Mozart was only eight years of age when he
wrote it. It was great to hear the church organ in full swing, both in Handel's
Concerto HW5 295 and in the Giazatto/Albinoni Adagio.
The audience had the chance to enjoy a soft and fruity glass of Chilean
Merlot during the interval.
***********************************************************************
28th Feb 2015 - 17:00 hrs - COMA
(East Midlands, West Midlands) and University Students - Kieran O'Riordan
Roger Swann = horn (COMA East Midlands)
An informal "end of day" concert formed the culmination of a
fascinating day workshop by the combined forces listed above. It was
particularly interesting to work on the two student compositions "Snakes and
Ladders" by James Underhill and "Cycles" by Zi Ming. Another unexpected aspect
was to observe how some of the COMA East Midlands regular repertoire worked
differently with the larger combined ensenble.
***********************************************************************
3rd February 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Andrea Chenier
An evening of quality entertainment (Umberto Giordano's opera is
basically a three star show and all were outstanding: Zeljko Lucic (Gerard),
Eva-Maria Westbroek (Maddalena) and Jonas Kaufmann (Andrea Chenier)) where a
colourful production and excellent orchestral playing (MD: Antonio Pappano)
couldn't quite hide the lack of passion or drive in the musical score.
Sitting in the front row of the Amphitheatre (seat A38) there was some
disturbing amplification from the down stage left area. Singer's here were
disturbingly loud with the sound at times coming from behind your reviewer. At
the start of the second act a knock on the door in this area clearly came from
the area behind our seats. This is not the sort of thing one comes to expect
from the Royal Opera House.
When questioned about this the ROH Director of Opera, Kasper Holten has
since stated that there was no amplifcation employed during this production. So
the actual cause of this strange experience remains a mystery.
***********************************************************************
31st Jan 2015 - 19:30 hrs - SoundCafe Choir (+ soloists) -
Choros Amici -
8ctave - Chris Mallinson - Simon
Lumby
Leicester Cathredal, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
The very ebullient and dynamic Revd. Helen Hayes has created the
SoundCafe, a zone for homeless people to drop in and release some of their
creative capacity through music, poetry, art or indeed any form of artistic
action that takes their fancy. This concert was her brainchild and allowed a
stage for SoundCafe participants to present some of their work and also to
raise awareness of the project. There was a sell out audience who couldn't but
help be impressed by the efforts of all involved.
The concert gave your reviewer a chance to perform
Henry Mollicone's Beatitude Mass in
it's chamber ensemble version with the combined forces of Choros Amici and
8ctave under the direction of Chris Mallinson. What a luscious piece this work
is with rich harmonic progressions throughout.
***********************************************************************
24th Jan 2015 - 19:30 hrs -
Knighton Chamber
Orchestra - Paul Jenkins, Libby Sherwood (violin) - Mark Penny (horn) -
Anne Mee ('cello)
Fraser Noble Hall, University of Leicester
Libby Sherwood showed amazing poise and technical assurance for a
school student playing Saint-Saens Introduction and Rondo Capricioso. Technical
assurance was once more in evidence in Mark Penny's performance of the Horn
Concerto No. 1 by Richard Strauss.
The highlight of the concert was the beautiful musical phrasing of Anne
Mee playing Tchaikovsky's Rocco Variations.
Paul Jenkins is always inventive in his concert presentation, preceding
his direction of Mendelssohn's Symphony No 3 (Scottish) with bag pipes, a
haggis and a recital of Burns' Address to the Haggis. (Burns night is 25th
Jan)
***********************************************************************
10th Jan 2015 - 19:30 hrs - The Sound of Music
Clever set design (Al Parkinson) allowed some very slick scene changes
which kept the production moving. High quality singing from all (both leads,
the chorus of nuns and the seven Von Trapp children) was allowed to be heard
above a tight band, with all of Oscar Hammerstein's enjoyable lyrics being
easily audible (sound designer: Ben Harrison). The audience were able to enjoy
the subtlety of Richard Rodger's score to the full. In short an excellent
evening on all accounts.
***********************************************************************
The Keswick Music
Society invited this ensemble back following their last visit in April
2011. This time their visit took an unexpected turn when clarinetist Elizabeth
Drew was taken to hosiptial on the morning of the concert. A quick change of
programming gave horn player Mark Smith a chance to perform the technically
challenging Divertimento a Tre by Haydn. He played with an impressive ease and
delicacy.
The hastily programmed "American" quartet by Dvorak was given a
performance that emphasised it's rustic nature but was none the less enjoyable
for that.
'Cellist Chris Grist offers excellent informal introductions to the
pieces.
***********************************************************************
8th Dec 2014 - 19:30 hrs - Leicester-shire Schools Music Service
Christmas Concert
Holy Trinity Church, Leicester
A festive evening's entertainment provided by some star Leicestershire
teenagers. The Senior String Ensemble stole the show with two movements from
Handel's Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No. 1 demonstrating their strength in depth
(second violins and four violas more than holding there own with the firsts and
'cellos). Conducted by Catherine Muncey the playing style varied to suit the
musical idiom and the group produced an exciting dynamic range as well as very
good intonation.
More than reasonable tuning was also the hall mark of the Flute Choir.
A varied selection of pieces included some genuine technical challenges
(Witches Dance by MacDowell for example) that the ensemble handled with
ease.
***********************************************************************
6th Dec 2014 - 19:30 hrs - The Leicester Recorder Players - Kenilworth
Saxophone Quartet
St Denys Church, Evington, Leicester
Good to hear (and see) two contra-bass recorders providing a rounded
bass foundation to this established ensemble. As well as some ever popular
carol arrangements the group included a wide variety of music.
A guest appearance by the Kenilworth Saxophone Quartet and interval
mulled wine and mince pies also helped make this a happy Christmas event.
***********************************************************************
1st Dec 2014 - 19:30 hrs - Imelda May and her band (support: Big Boy
Bloater)
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
After an impressive demonstration of live digital loop set up by Big
Boy Bloater (including a number on a 3 string cigar box guitar) Imelda May took
the stage. The gig was enhanced by simple but effective lighting. Imelda May's
strong voice was often lost amongst wild thrashing amplified out of control by
the band. The most effective moments came when the guitars and drums were
silent. Great double bass playing and nice touches on the trumpet were there to
be enjoyed when they and the star were not drowned in the din.
This was your reviewer's first concert observed with the protection of
light-industrial ear plugs. It still sounded way too loud to allow much
subtlety but at least the ears felt ok afterwards!
***********************************************************************
29th Nov 2014 - 19:30 hrs - Helix Ensemble - David Greed
(conductor and violin)
St Andrews Church, Countesthorpe
Roger Swann = horn
Enterprising organisation Active Arts secured additional Heritage
Lottery funding to promote a return visit by the Helix Ensemble to this
attractive church. This gave the ensemble the chance to work with the talented
musician David Greed: He adopted an understated classical approach to his
performance of the Bach violin concerto BWV1042. This unprentious approach
allows Bach's music to be enjoyed to the full.
The Helix Ensemble takes every opportunity to programme less commonly
played music. Gordon Jacob's "A Little Symphony" surely falls into this
category but it includes music of an intensity and emotional power that is not
always associated with the works of this composer. Your reviewer enjoyed the
chance to play Haydn's Symphony No. 31 (Horn Signal) (very ably supported by
colleagues, Julian Haslam, Nigel Moore and Roz Saunders). It is essential not
record the superb rendition of the virtuosic double bass solo in this piece
played by Naomi Turner.
The audience came dangerously close to completely filling the church.
Asking two different (unknown) members after the concert why they thought this
was gave two flattering answers: "Because [The Helix] have come before and word
is getting round about how good you are" and "Because [The Helix] always do
something new as well as well known pieces".
***********************************************************************
25th Nov 2014 - 19:30 hrs - The Gospel According to the Other Mary -
English National Opera
The Coliseum, London.
The world premier of the staging of John Adam's latest opera with a
libretto by Peter Sellars and set design by George Tsypin (see below for a
description of his set design of the recent Ring Cycle in Birmingham). It was
not at all obvious who all the characters on stage were representing. Often
they were shadows of the main protagonists. Sometimes not. The rather static
set didn't offer any clues either. But the music (conductor Joana Carneiro) had
all the John Adam's traits and was perhaps more adventurous (= atonal) in
places than some of his earlier works which brings welcome relief from the
repetition.
The star on stage was the remarkable dancer credited in the programme
as Banks (Angel Gabriel). He could do everything with his body!
***********************************************************************
22nd Nov 2014 - 19:30 hrs - The
Bardi Orchestra - Claus Efland
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
Sandwiched between glorious Wagner (Tannhauser overture) and sublime
Brahms (2nd Symphony) was the ahead-of-it's-time Konzertstuck for four horns
and orchestra by Robert Schumann. It was flattering, exciting and fun to be
given the opportunity to play this fantastic horn show piece on Leicester's
major stage with an orchestra of the quality of the Bardi and a conductor of
the quality of Claus Efland.
Konzerstuck horn section (relaxing post gig): Julian Haslam, Roz
Saunders, Roger Swann and Mark Penny (principal).
( Photograph: Julie M )
***********************************************************************
15th Nov 2014 - 19:30 hrs - Winter Concert - Bingham Choral Society -
Bingham Concert Orchestra - Neville Ward - David Wood (violin), Isobel Bounford
(violin) - Ruth Holton (sop), Kathyrn Woodruff (mezzo), Stephen Muir tenor),
Neil Baker (bass).
St Mary's Church, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire.
Roger Swann = horn
Choral societies such as the Bingham Choral Society exist the length
and breadth of England and provide the backbone for choral performances outside
of the main concert halls. Neville Ward has anounced his retirment from the
helm of the Bingham Choral Society having started the group in 1972 and
directed it ever since. This is a remarkable achievement. A large and
appreciative audience enjoyed the performance this evening. He takes great care
over phrasing and musical line, particularly in the slower movments.
***********************************************************************
11th Nov 2014 - 19:30 hrs - The Perfect Murder
Peter James' novel of the same name transfers well to the stage. Some
moments of humour (somewhat black in places) amongst a very clever plot with
twists that successfully fooled your reviewer made this an enjoyable evening of
theatre.
***********************************************************************
5th, 6th, 8th and 9th Nov 2014 - The Ring of the Niebelung - Mariinsky
Theatre - Valery Gergiev
The Mariinsky Theatre company on tour with their established
2003 production
(George Tsypin and Valery Gergiev) come to Birmingham. The production was based
on four huge statues but it was difficult to judge what they were meant to be
conveying. Wagner's characters were played by different singers in the
different operas. The result was a bit hit and miss. There are some less
successful moments (weak singers and some very weak acting) but there some
inspiring highlights too.
The first act of Die Walkure featured Avgust Amonov as Siegmund and
Mlada Khudoley as Sieglinde: Both singing superbly but more importantly both
showing perfectly the complex sexual sparkle between the twins.
Mikhail Vekua's Siegfried in the third opera of the same name, showed a
similar pairing of "top draw" tenor singing (no sign of strain at the end of
this long haul sing) with unusually refined acting - his Siegfried was a
character full of boyish confidence but without the cocky arrogance that your
reviewer has seen projected in other productions. The result is an attractive
persona that encourages the sympathies of the audience.
Andrey Popov took the role of Mime in both Das Rheingold and Siegfried
and brought this complex down trodden character vividly to life.
The string sound of the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra has a dark square
edge to it which suits some of the more aggressive motifs very well (for
example Hunding's theme and the opening storm music in Die Walkure). Lovely
bass clarinet playing too.
***********************************************************************
1st Nov 2014 - 20:00 hrs - Dracula
An adaption of Bram Stoker's novel by Liz Lochhead, aiming to capture
the omnipresent sprit of Dracula and his dark quest for virgin's blood. Some
good theatrical moments made this an enjoyable (if not exactly terrifying
evening) as did the gothic dress code adopted by a large group of young people
in the audience.
***********************************************************************
25th Oct 2014 - 12:00 hrs, 14:00 hrs, 20:00 hrs -
COMA 21st Birthday Concerts -Txemi
Etxebarria, Stuart Hazelton, Mark Lawrence, Sarah Leonard, Janet Oates, Kieran
O'Riordan, Simon Prince, Gregory Rose, Adam Swayne,
Roger Swann = horn (COMA East Midlands)
21 years ago Chris Shurety had the imagination and creative drive to
establish COMA. He has continued to be the source of energy and enthusiasm
which has led to the establishment of regional ensembles throughout the UK and
beyond (with a very welcome contribution made today by COMA Maastricht). How to
celebrate? Only Chris would plan a day of such intensity as this. The two lunch
time concerts saw the premiers of nineteen short fanfares (the brief was "one
minute"). The audience was asked not to applaud after the fanfares which were
used to introduce each "main work" in these concerts - simply to keep the
events to a sensible length!
As well as featuring the regional ensembles the lunchtime concerts
included the excellent COMA Singers. They too showed what wide range of
repertoire and performing styles comes under the COMA umbrella.
All musicians combined for the evening concert to present works
commissioned by COMA in the last 21 years (again each being preceded by a
specially commissioned fanfare). The COMA library now contains over 1000
works!
The day ran like clockwork; All ensembles presented music played with
passion and enthusiasm and in many cases complete technical assurance (the solo
'cellist in When by Amoret Abis played by COMA Sussex deserves a special
mention). It was also good to see many "big names" from the British
contemporary music scene present in the audience to acknowledge the unique
contribution COMA makes to the European contemporary music scene.
**********************************************************************
St Peter's Church, Littleover, Derbyshire.
Roger Swann = horn (Schumann)
It was fantastic to have the opportunity to play Schumann's
Konzertstuck for four horns and orchestra with the Derby Concert Orchestra.
Conductor Jonathan Trout combines infectious enthusiasm with a wide knowledge
of the orchestral repertoire. Under his direction the DCO frequently perform
interesting and challenging (for both players and audience) programmes. Leader
Christinel Bacanu's input was also a significant contributor to the success of
this evening's performance which was enjoyed by a good sized audience.
Schumann horn section: Julian Haslam, Roz Saunders, Roger Swann, Mark
Penny (principal)
( Photograph: Nigel Moore )
***********************************************************************
17th Oct 2014 - 19:30 hrs -
Mnozil Brass
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
Your reviewer gave Mnozil brass gushing praise when he first heard them
(4th July 2010) and four years later the same musicians continue to play with
jaw-dropping precision, dynamic range and accuracy whilst still managing to
pack two and a half hours with entertaining tricks and stylish and unexpected
variations on dramatic themes.
Where else can you hear a recorder group play recorders with their
noses?
***********************************************************************
15th Oct 2014 - 19:45 hrs - The Trial -
Music Theatre Wales -
Conductor Michael Rafferty
Michael Rafferty consistently achieves excellence from both cast and
orchestra members of Music Theatre Wales. Their presentation of the premier of
Philp Glass' "The Trial" (based on the novel by Franz Kafka) was technically
faultless. The diction of the singers meant that every word was heard (and
Philip Glass deserves recognition for his orchestration allowing this to be
achieved).
***********************************************************************
4th Oct 2014 - 19:45 hrs - I Postini - Roger Swann and Houghton Singers
- Helen Noble
Houghton on the Hill Village Hall, Houghton on the Hill, Leics.
Roger Swann = conductor of I Postini
A concert presented by Houghton Music Club gave I Postini a chance to
play Copland's "Quiet City" with distinguished local musicians Linda Backhouse
(cor anglais) and Steve Bailey (trumpet). The high quality of the soloists was
an inspiration to the musicians in the ensemble.
Helen Nobel's Houghton Singers gave us two movements from Faure's
Requiem, almost in the manner of a cinema trailer for a forthcoming feature:
They plan to perform the whole Requiem in Houghton in 2015. Something to look
forward to (watch this space!)
The grand finale took the form of Malcolm Lomax effortlessly overcoming
limitations of the village hall piano whilst performing Mozart's Piano Concerto
No. 15 in B flat (K450). Here's a photo of I Postini and their director (yours
truly) receiving welcome applause.
( Photograph: Margaret Herringshaw )
***********************************************************************
27th Sept 2014 - 19:30 hrs -
The Charnwood Orchestra - Nic Fallowfield
(MD & violin) - Clare Bhabra (violin)
Holy Trinity Church, Barrow on Soar.
After an exciting afternoon's Ryder Cup golf courtesy of Sky TV (Europe
winning 3.5 points out of a possible 4 in the afternoon foursomes) what better
way to unwind than enjoying the Charnwood Orchestra playing music from the 18th
century?
It is a demonstration of the orchestra's versatility to present a
concert of music from the classical period which presents a completely
different set of challenges in terms of subtlety and finesse to those offered
by the standard romantic symphonic repertoire.
The rarity in the programme was Haydn's Symphony No. 67. This features
some exposed writing for solo string players. There were demonstrations of
sensitive playing and very reasonable intonation from Jon Barwell (leader),
Veronica Hack (lead 2nd violin) and Richard Lord (lead 'cello).
Your reviewer also benefited from an enjoyable bottle of Castle Rock
Brewery's Harvest Pale during the interval. The orchestra's arrangement with
this brewery is yet another example of the Charnwood Orchestra's imaginative
marketing.
***********************************************************************
***********************************************************************
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.
***********************************************************************
Roger Swann
has a beautiful 2 bedroom holiday cottage called Swann Cottage in Derbyshire. You can get information about renting it
here.
***********************************************************************