** Positive Points about Various Concerts **
Season - 2015/2016
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11th Sep 2016 - 19:30 hrs -
Countesthorpe Festival
Chorus New Leicester Youth Chorus - New Leicester Youth Chorus Juniors -
Countesthorpe Festival Orchestra - Giles Turner - Christine Buras (sop) - David
Morris (tenor) - James Cleverton (baritone).
Leicester Grammar School, Great Glen, Leicester.
Roger Swann = horn
Excellent programming thought by the conductor, Giles Turner and chorus
master Willard Welsford gave Leicestershire audiences are chance to hear Arvo
Part's rarely performed Credo and also 13 excellent percussionists play the
even less frequently performed "Ionisation" by Edgard Varese. Spectacularly
tight playing from all 13 players and full of colour with all the complex
sounds interweaving, this is a really special piece to hear live. Full marks to
all involved.
The main piece of the event, in terms of length, was Carl Orf's Carmina
Burana. Not an easy sing in the somewhat unhelpful acoustic of the Leicester
Grammar School Hall but the soloists all coped well and the orchestra certainly
let rip in all the loud bits! Since this event was on the same evening as the
BBC's "Last Night of the Proms" it formed a fitting end to the 2015/2016
season, as defined by your reviewer.
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The Roundhouse, Camden, London
Two of the pieces presented by the London Sinfonietta took advantage of
this impressive space in N. London, with performers arranged around the outside
of the audience: Birtwistle's "The Message", Haas' "Open Spaces II". Jonny
Greenwood's "Smear" gives the audience the rare chance to here two ondes
martenot playing at the same time.
Ligeti's "Ramification" is a twentieth centuary classic, but it
requires a group of string players capable of playing with intensity to bring
it off, as it had here with the London Sinfonietta
The whole concert was presented in the dark, with a 360 degree curtain
of white poles around the audience being used to project images during all of
the pieces. Mostly abstract, ocassionally literal, they consistently added
little or nothing to the event. The concert programme offerd no information
about the thinking behind the projections, nor credited any individual(s) with
their creation. The only mention was "Visuals: SDNA Ltd". Your reviewer was
reminded of a concert many years ago, being conducted by the distinguished
musical director, David Drummond, when the lighting engineer without any
warning started changing the lighting colours on the orchestra. David Drummond
stopped the piece we were performing and turned round to address the lighting
engineer across the audience, pointing out that the event "was a concert, not a
disco". The piece was then restarted without any further intervention from the
humbled lighting engineer. What a sound moment, in all senses of the word.
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The Fraser Nobel Hall, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
Composer and film sound effects producer, Devesh Sodha, presented a
concert of his own music, including compositions played to an excerpts from
Charlie Chaplin's "The Immigrant" and Raj Kapoor's "Shree 420". This was an
amazingly ambitious project which Devesh Sodha achieved with resounding
success. It was a very interesting experience for the orchestra musicians and
conductor to play to a computer generated visual "click track" with every beat
of every bar being prescribed.
By way of a finale each audience member had a blindfold which they were
asked to wear for the last work. They were encouraged to let their minds make
up their own visual image associated with the music.....
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11th Aug 2016 - 19:00 hrs -
BBC Prom 35 - BBC National
Orchestra of Wales - Thomas Sondergard - Tai Murray (violin).
Royal Albert Hall, London
A very technically challenging violin concerto by Malcolm Hayes was
superbly performed by Tai Murray. Malcolm Hayes certainly knows how to write
lots of incredibly high harmonics and Tai Murray certainly knows how to play
them! The composer's programme note starts "My violin concerto is about
creating space." Inspired by the scenary (and life) of the Outer Hebrides the
whole piece had a magical "almost midnight sun" atmosphere.
The BBC proms continues to be a world class festival, but there are
signs of "creaking" at the edges: After such a great performance it is
unbelievable that Tai Murray was not presented with a bouquet of flowers.
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29th July 2016 - 19:00 hrs -
BBC Prom 18 - London
Symphony Orchestra - London Symphony Chorus - Eltham College Boys Choir -
Bernard Haitink - Sarah Conolly (mezzo).
Royal Albert Hall, London
Bernard Haitink was born on 4th March 1929 and, aged 87, here he was
celebrating his first appearance at the proms fifty years ago. This is a truely
remarkable record. All the more so because he continues to be the master of the
large symphonic works, particularly those of Mahler and Bruckner. Mahler's 3rd
Symphony can be a problematic work for conductors less able to understand and
project the vast architecture (see 10th Feb 2016 below). Under Haitink the work
comes alive. He lets the music have time, without it ever seeming to drag. He
ensures his musicians play with sensitivity to what is going on around them:
this performance was crammed full of moments of unexpected orchestral colour,
all due to the conductor's undertstanding of Mahler's great orchestration.
Of course the LSO are a great orchestra: Principle trombonist Dudley
bright changed the tone quality (rounded edges to the sound envelope) to match
all the moods of the different, frequent, trombone solos. There was immaculate
offstage flugel horn playing by Nicholas Betts.
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23rd July 2016 - 15:00 hrs - Hamlet - The Festival Players
Higham Hall, Cokermouth, Cumbria
What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than in intermittent
sunshine in the garden watching a performance of Hamlet. An all male cast of
seven covered all the roles and were all excellent. Hamlet was Benjamin
Way.
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22nd July 2016 - 19:30 hrs - Hungarton Classical Concert - Mathew Ainge
(organ) - Ian Imlay (organ) - Ian Stewart (violin) - Sally Horton (violin) -
Judith Darwood (viola) - Jane Scannell ('cello) - Samantha Swain
(clarinet)
St John the Baptist Church, Hungarton, Leics
A most enjoyable evening's entertainment complete with wine and copious
nibbles during the interval.
It's great to hear the church organ (dating from 1849) pushed to it's
limits, in this case by two organists from two very different generations.
Samantha Swain and her colleagues had very obviously worked hard on getting
Mozart's Clarinet Quintet rehearsed to the level achieved in tonights
performance.
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19th July 2016 - 18:30 hrs -
BBC Prom 5 - BBC
Philharmonic - Halle Choir - Manchester Chamber Choir - Gianandrea Noseda -
Camilla Nylund (sop) - Birgit Remmert (mezzo) - Stuart Skelton (ten) - Hanno
Muller-Crachmann (bass)
Royal Albert Hall, London
Gianandrea Noseda certainly brought out the wide variety of moods
present in Beethoven's Missa Solemnis. The large choir had a real crisp clear
edge coupled with a wide dynamic range. The lightness of texture was enhanced
by some sensitive precision playing from the orchestra (with rotary valve
trumpets making exactly the right sound for this style of performance). Along
side of this there were moments of great excitement and passion: The start of
the Gloria was like a top greyhound out of the trap! Wow!
The LED display around the back of the choir had a flickering fault
throughout. The BBC production team definitely made an error of judgement
allowing this to distract throughout the concert. It should have been turned
off at the first sign of a problem. Whilst when operating properly it does no
harm, the music would have been much better enjoyed in the natural ambient
light rather than intermittent flashing.
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16th July 2016 - 14:30 hrs - "This is Your Brain on Music" -
COMA (East Midlands) - Kieran
O'Riordan
West Bridgeford Methodist Church, West Bridgeford, Notts
Roger Swann = horn
A typically varied COMA concert featuring works by members of the
ensemble as well as several other COMA commissions. Colin Johnson's "I a.
T..... t. S.... b.. I c..... R..... h.. t." created a particularly individual
style which the audience enjoyed. The ensembles improvisation to Alan Jenkin's
print "A Child Is Born" worked especially well, with the musicians being
particularly reponsive to others.
The concert also included the results of working with local poet John
Humphreys on his vivid and emotive poem "Symphony of Sea"
Your reviewer (top hat was required for the performance of David
Machell's "Three Definitions and a Wedding")
( Photograph: Robert Parker)
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2nd July 2016 - 19:30 hrs -
The Charnwood Orchestra - Nic Fallowfield -
Stephan Calow (Tuba)
Saint James The Greater Church, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn (The Planets)
For their annual outing to this great Leicester Church (now fitted out
with comfortable chairs which greatly enhances the audience experience) the
Charnwood Orchestra invited Leicestershire born tuba player Stephan Calow to
demonstrate his secure tuba technique in Vaughan Williams' great concerto.
Stephan makes the tuba sound golden and round over the instruments very wide
range, giving a notably feather like touch to some of the delicate passages.
Rare adjectives for a tuba part indeed! Soon to leave the Royal College of
Music this is a musician to watch out for in the future.
The ever popular Planets Suite by Gustav Holst gave the whole orchestra
a chance to demonstrate the sparkle and enthusiasm they always bring to their
performances.
This concert marked the final appearance as a member of the horn
section by Martin Gilding, one of the most respected of statesman of the East
Midlands horn playing world.
The Planets Horn Section (back row L-R): Martin Gilding, Nigel Moore,
Roger Swann, (front row L-R) Tim Newton, Jo Chapman, Simon Marshall
(principal)
( Photograph: Sarah Brookman)
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1st July 2016 - 19:30 hrs - InParenthesis -
Welsh National Opera - conductor: Carlo
Rizzi
Iain Bell's opera is based on the first world war poet David Jones'
epic work of the same name. This has adapted for the stage by librettists David
Antrobus and Emma Jenkins. Dealing with the experiences of a welsh regiment
being sent to the front line it was very appropriate to enjoy this production
on the day that marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the
Somme.
An interesting and moving event with the Bard of Britannia and the Bard
of Germania making our modern interpretation of events explicit.
Fascinating to observe Carlo Rizzi conducting ambidextrously. Your
reviewer could see no particular reason why he chose to have his baton in his
left hand for certain numbers.
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18th June 2016 - 19:30 hrs -
University of
Leicester Sinfonia - Michael Sackin - Simon Lebens (piano)
Fraser Noble Hall, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
The University of Leicester Sinfonia were on decidedly good form for
this concert for three reasons:
1) The very welcome return of piano soloist Simon Lebens, playing
Mozart's Piano Concert no. 17 K453 and once again demonstrating his instinctive
feel for this most musically demanding of composers. The piano playing in the
slow movement was perfectly judged, full of poise and restraint yet never
feeling "affected".
2) The equally welcome return of guest leader Liz Murphey. The
combination of secure violin playing, helpful leads and good bowing advice,
together with her easy going nature make her perfect in this role.
3) The choice of programme being much more within the technical grasp
of the ensemble and conductor.
The result wasn't technically flawless but it did have moments that
were musically satisfying for both players and audience alike.
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10th June 2016 - 19:30 hrs - Don Giovanni -
English Touring Opera -
conductor: John Andrews
English Touring Opera sung Mozart's great opera in a modern English
transalation which neatly combined the witty and sinister aspects of the work
(Jeremy Sams). Some excellent discrete horn playing from the orchestra and both
Don Giovanni (George von Bergen) and Leporello (Mathew Stiff) were on fine form
- with virtually every word carrying to the audience.
A large and enthusiastic audience were present for this event; watching
the folk as they left the hall they seemed to represent a wide range of types
of people too, exactly what ETO is all about.
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L'Eglise Saint Nicolas, Rethel, Champagne, France
Roger Swann = horn.
A repeat of the concert given on 29th May (see below) proved somewhat
more challenging because of this church having one of the most boomy acoustics
your reviewer can ever remember playing in. Poor lighting (meaning that from
the rear of the orchestra the conductor was hard to discern) added to the
difficulties. The orchestra was grateful to receive warm hospitality from the
town council of Rethal both immediately prior to the concert and at a reception
afterwards.
LSO Overseas Horn Section (L-R): Roz Saunders, Roger Swann, Julian
Haslam, Nigel Moore (principal)
( Photograph: Jeremy Oakley)
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La Basilique Notre-Dame-D'Esperance, Charleville-Mezieres, Champagne,
France
Roger Swann = horn.
The first of two concerts given by the Leicester Symphony Orchestra in
the Champagne region. A good sized audience gave the orchestra a rousing
ovation at the end of this concert. Including Sir Malcolm Sargent's "Impression
on a Windy Day" as the "English representative" piece was a master stroke of
programme planning. An interesting and rarely performed work written by the
founder of the Leicester Symphony Orchestra.
The church itself was worth a visit just to see the amazing abstract
stained glass windows created by René Dürrbach between 1954 and
1979. The church was also used to presenting concerts: good evelvated staging
and excellent lighting helped the orchestra perform at it's best
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26th May 2016 - 19:15 hrs - Oedipe - Musical Director: Leo Hussain
The first ever Covent Garden production of George Enescu's only opera
featured a large cast and some stunning visual production. The well known
Oedipus tale is told with intensity over four acts with the audience genuinely
drawn in to the despair of the main character (a huge tenor role taken with
ease by Johan Reuter).
The music at times hinted of Szymanowski and (particularly towards the
end of the work) Debussy. As ever the orchestra relished the virtuosic writing
in front of them.
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de Montfort Hall, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn.
A great programme for horn players, starting with Humperdinck's
Overture to Hansel and Gretal and ending with Mahler's epic 6th Symphony. This
symphony could easily overshadow the other pieces in the concert but the
imaginative programming team for Leicester Symphony Orchestra took the
opportunity to include the contrasting work "The Enchanted Lake" by Liadov (Op
62). What a beautiful miniature this is.
The horns definitely enjoyed the Mahler, very ably led by principal
Nigel Moore.
Back row (L-R): Jo Chapman, Simon Marshall, Roz Saunders, Roger
Swann.
Front row (L-R): Julian Haslam, Meghan McCrimmon, Sarah Hague, Nigel
Moore (principal)
( Photograph: Gillian Butcher)
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14th May 2016 - 19:30 hrs - "Symphonic Strings" -Helix Ensemble - Clare Bhabra
(musical director and leader)
St Wystan's Church, Repton, Derbyshire
The string section of the Helix Ensemble directed from the violin by
Clare Bhabra filled this beautiful church with strking power during some of the
emotional climaxes (for example in Finzi's Romance (op 11) and the Chamber
Symphony (Op 110a) by Shostakovich). Coincidentally both these works also gave
ample opportunity for Clare Bhabra to enjoy some gentle pure toned violin
solos. Her fluidity and perfect intonation were matched by some equally moving
'cello solo work by Helix 'cellist Clym Stock-Williams.
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5th May 2016 - 18:00 hrs - Tannhauser - Director: Tim Albery, Musical
Director: Hartmut Haenchen
The physically challenging title role was taken by Peter Seiffert, but
it was perhaps Sophie Kock (Venus) and Emma Bell (Elisabeth) who stole the show
with their emotionally charged singing.
The horn playing was sublime at the start of the third act (and many
other places as well!)
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25th April 2016 - 20:00 hrs - Leicester Literary and Philosophical
Society AGM concert
Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, New Walk, Leicester.
Roger Swann = natural horn.
Musical director Paul Jenkins drew on his extensive contact list to put
together this concert for the Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society AGM.
Joining pianists Chris Roberts and Emily Turfus were the excellent student
singers Bethany Hill, Claudia Losty, Holly Mulvey, Sarah Nibloe and ex-student
baritone Andrew Radford.
Andrew Radford's infectious enthusiasm for Handel gave your reviewer
his first ensemble outing on natural horn, enjoying (perhaps more than the
audience did) the obligato horn part in Handel's "Va tacito e noscosto" from
Julius Caeser.
Andrew Radford (baritone), Chris Roberts (piano), Roger Swann (natural
horn)
( Photograph: Emily Turfus)
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22nd April 2016 - 19:30 hrs - "All in the April Evening" - Houghton
Singers (and guests) - Helen Noble (conductor)
St Catharine's Church, Houghton on the Hill, Leics.
Roger Swann = Interval refreshments
This was Helen Noble's final concert as director of the Houghton
Singers. A large audience turned up to show their respect for the dedication
and expertise that Helen Noble has been bringing to the Houghton Singers for
many many years. The choir sang their hearts out. Your reviewer particularly
enjoyed Bruckner's Locus Iste.
The concert also featured an excellent contribution from organist Simon
Ainge. It is wonderful to hear the organ of St Catharine's being used for some
great music.
Helen Noble proudly acknowledging applause in front of the Hougton
Singers
( Photograph: Roger Swann)
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21st April 2016 - 18:45 hrs - "Flute Showcase" - Jo Conquest (director)
Wigston College, Leics.
A wide variety of flute talent on show, organised by the tireless Ms Jo
Conquest. Everyone sounded as if they were enjoying themselves (both performers
and audience). Especially impressive was the "Flute Chorale" written by
teenager Emily Sanderson and performed by the composer and two colleages:
Caitlin Gambrell and Bethany Oaten. The piece showed that the composer had an
excellent ear for harmonic progression and for how to make the flute trio work
as an ensemble.
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5th April 2016 - 19:30 hrs - Boris Godunov - Conductor - Antonio
Pappano.
Fantastic playing by the orchestra really brought Mussorgsky's dark
passionate score to life (some particularly good exposed viola section work).
The opera was performed in it's original form, making the evening fairly short
(two hours with no interval). A special mention for the powerful weight of the
voice of Ain Anger taking the role of the Monk/Chronicler.
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1st April 2016 - 19:30 hrs - The Zoffany Ensemble
St. Giles' Parish Church, Medbourne, Leics
Enterprising St Giles' church promoted this concert to raise funds for
the "St Giles' Church Fabric Fund" and included the chance to sample some
excellent finger buffet type nibbles during the concert interval.
The core work on show was Brahms' String Sextet No. 2 in G (op 36).
What a magnificent piece this is, showing Brahms' remarkable skill at weaving
themes (and also accompanying motifs) between the different instruments. The
Zoffany Ensemble get some exciting dynamic range out of the score and as well
as all the obviously virtuosic musicianship on show there were some great
moments where the harmony suddenly changes to one of ominous brooding
character.
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19th March 2016 - 19:30 hrs -
The Charnwood Orchestra - Nic Fallowfield -
Thomas Bowes (violin)
All Saints Parish Church, Loughborough, Leics
Roger Swann = horn
The Charnwood Orchestra frequently show imagination in their concert
programme selections. Here they included two pieces which deserve more frequent
performances. Tchaikovsky's 2nd Symphony "Little Russian" (op. 17) is full of
good tunes, includes a wonderful flighty scherzo (performed here with accuracy
and lightness of touch) and ends with an equally fast and exciting coda.
The concert highlight was Thomas Bowes' playing of the Britten Violin
Concerto. He dealt with the technical challenges of the work and the odd
orchestral hiccup in a completely assured manner which left the orchestra and
audience in no doubt that this really is a masterpiece of composition. The
lofty peace hanging in the spacious acoustic of the church as the work closes
was very special.
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17th Mar 2016 - 19:30 hrs - Akhnaten - Conductor:- Karen Kamensek.
First performed in 1984, Akhnaten is Philip Glass's third opera of the
triology formed with Einstein on the Beach and Satyagraha. This was a real
visual treat with truely spectacular juggling well matched to the music
throughout the work (Skills Ensemble: Gandini Juggling ).
The visual aspects of the production were a compliment for the
mesmerising music and made it a great experience to savour, but it was pretty
tricky to get what what was going on!
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15th Mar 2016 - 19:30 hrs - The Winter's Tale
Loads of candles made this production romanic, eerie and one filled
with pagentry. Excellent acting all round: very funny but also quite moving
when the happy end finally arrives.
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8th March 2016 - 19:30 hrs - Breakfast at Tiffany's
Good acting throughout, including both leads: Pixie Lott as Holly
Golightly and Matt Barber as Fred. Slick stage design kept things moving. A
strange play with a distinctly enigmatic ending. The director was Nikolai
Foster.
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6th Mar 2016 - 19:30 hrs - COMA
(East Midlands, West Midlands), Via
Nova - Kieran O'Riordan, Edward Caine, Daniel Galbreath, Michael Finnissy -
Elaine Mitchener (voice)
CBSO Centre, Birmingham
Roger Swann = horn (COMA East Midlands)
The culmination of two days of a combined project (part of the
"Festival of Contemporary Music For All" but driven by the BCMG) saw both COMA
ensembles rise to the honour of playing in Birmingham's premier contemporary
music venue.
The concert also included a remarkable world premier performance of
Percy Pursglove's "Tender Button". Written for choir and additional solo
trumpet (played by the composer) and solo oboe (Melinda Maxwell) it was
fascinating to enjoy the interaction between the two instrumentalists and the
choir.
The performance by Via Nova was a tough act to follow but Michael
Finnissy took up the baton to direct all the instrumentalists in Tansy Davies'
"The Second Key" (featuring the composer on guitar and Elaine Mitchener on
sensitively amplified voice). Complicated rhythms and the varied
instrumentation resulted in a very colourful and very busy score. The concert
ended with Michael Finnissy conducting his own "Plain Harmony". Working with
the composer on his own work (and observing the way he had no qualms about
modifying what was "on the page" in order to get a better effect for the
audience) was an experience that comes all to rarely for your reviewer.
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6th Mar 2016 - 13:30 hrs - Music Maze -
Zig-Zag
COMA (East Midlands, West Midlands)
CBSO Centre, Birmingham
Roger Swann = horn (COMA East Midlands)
A small but exciting concert given by 8 to 11 year old children who
had been creating in the Music Maze workshop all morning, together with the 12
to 16 year olds who had been similiarly engaged as "Zig Zag" ensemble. Both
COMA groups were invited to come in and play some of the material composed by
the Music Maze members as well to join in with some of their improvisation
moments. What an illuminating experience this was. Give a young person an
instrument and plenty of freedom and the first thing you notice is how their
individual personalities bubble to the surface.
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5th March 2016 - 19:30 hrs,
Knighton Chamber Orchestra - Paul
Jenkins (conductor) - Roz Saunders (horn) - Soh-Yon Kim (violin)
Fraser Noble Hall, Leicester
Two outstanding soloists: Firstly, Roz Saunders (the orchestra's
regular principal horn) took the limelight for an assured and secure but far
from dull performance of Mozart's 4th Horn Concerto K 495 including a
particularly witty cadenza in the first movement.
Secondly the Knighton Chamber Orchestra accompanied Soh-Yon Kim in
Prokofiev's 2nd Violin Concerto, a piece that the composer probably imagined
being played with larger forces but which suited the smaller string sections of
the orchestra rather well. Technically assured and with faultless intonation
Soy-Yon Kim also revelled in all the lyrical passages in this superb piece of
music.
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A late night programme entitled "Masters of Minimalism" was a
demonstration of the variety of music that comes under this banner. All eight
pieces were played to the usual exceptional high standard that the London
Sinfonietta always achieve.
Laurence Crane's Riis (for clarinet, cello and piano) was an example of
how a "less-is-more" approach to composition can be effective. The ominous
almost overpowering electric keyboard notes which at first sounded (at least to
your reviewer) a little obtrusive developed into a musical form that seemed to
evolve and make more sense as the work progressed.
Karen Andrew's flute playing to the tape track provided by Steve Reich
for his "Vermont Counterpoint" was only one (of many) example(s) of expert
technique being used to create a continual shifting sound world.
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St Andrews Church, Countesthorpe
Roger Swann = horn
The Helix Ensemble were delighted to be invited back for another
concert at the welcoming St Andrew's Church by local arts organisation
Active Arts. The Ensemble were also
pleased to be working with musical director Toby Purser again, and he directed
a particularly energetic and vivacious performance of Beethoven's Fourth
Symphony.
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10th Feb 2016 - 19:30 hrs - Philharmonia Orchestra - Philharmonia
Voices - Leicester Cathedral Choristers - Jakub Hrusa - Bernarda Fink
(mezzo-sop)
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
Conducting Mahler's epic Symphony No. 3 requires a complete
understanding of the architecture of the whole work and the ability to draw the
audience through the long emotional journey by ensuring that music is seen to
develop from the opening bars to the close. Jakub Hrusa failed to achieve this;
his interpretation seemed to revel in holding up the music at every
opportunity. He also let the powerful heavy brass get their own way with
dynamics far too frequently (a shame, because the Philharmonia trombones can
play a beautiful pianissimo as a section when they choose to).
The somewhat too small string sections sounded superb (can you really
do Mahler 3 with only four desks of 'cellos and only six double basses?). There
was an excellent offstage trumpet solo: Christian Barraclough.
***********************************************************************
7th Feb 2016 - 15:00 hrs - The Bardi
Orchestra - Claus Efland - Samantha Ward (piano)
de Montfort Hall, Leicester
Great opening to the concert with Beethoven's Leonora No. 3 played with
energy and precision. Claus Efland worked hard to keep the tempo moving during
the quiet passages so that one never felt momentum was lost.
The real draw of the afternoon was Nielson's Symphony No. 3 ("Sinfonia
Espansiva"). What a joyful opening, almost a deliberately wild waltz! Super
horn playing throughout, matched by a tight heavy brass section with glorious
intonation. The last movement has some broad march like motifs that, here, were
full of pageantry. Claus Efland knows exactly what sound world Nielson demands.
This is exactly the type of piece the Bardi Orchestra should be bringing to
it's Leicester audience.
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23rd Jan 2016 - 19:30 hrs,
Knighton Chamber Orchestra - Paul
Jenkins (conductor) - Anne Mee ('cello) - Francois Salignat (Piano)
Fraser Noble Hall, Leicester
Some really enjoyable viola section prominence in Beethoven's 8th
Symphony (Viola principal: the energetic and competent Phil. Houghton)
The peak of the evening was Francois Salignat's interpretation of
Prokofiev's 3rd Piano concerto. His lightness of touch being perfectly suited
to the ethereal harmonic sound world of this composer.
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Humphrey Perkins Community Centre, Barrow upon Soar, Leics
A (somewhat belated) "New Year's Concert" presented by the Charnwood
Orchestra (complete with attractive bouquets of flowers and red carnation
button holes for both ladies and gents in the orchestra) included some lesser
known Strauss works as well as most of the traditional favourites. The
orchestra played with impressive precision throughout and for much of the time
also conveyed the lightness of touch and "fizz" that these pieces (particularly
the fast polkas) require.
There was a lovely harp solo at the start of Lehar's "Gold and Silver"
Waltz, played by Lisa Wright.
The evening's pleasure continued through the interval where your
reviewer enjoyed a bottle of the orchestra sponsor Castle Rock Brewery's
Harvest Pale.
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19th Dec 2015 - 19:00 hrs - "Christmas is Coming" - Cantus Choir and
Orchestra - Alwyn Pollard - Miranda Heldt (soprano)
St Mary the Virgn Church, Ketton, Rutland
Roger Swann = horn
A varied programme of Christmas music put together by the enterprising
director Alwyn Pollard was followed by most welcome mulled wine and was a most
enjoyable way of getting in the festive mood for both audience and
performers.
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Christchurch Baptist & Methodist Church Hall, Clarendon Park,
Leicester
A varied programme of (mostly) Christmas music ending with two carols
with audience participation was all presented by this happy orchestra complete
with witty and informative introductions from conductor David Calow. Good range
of Christmas nibbles after the event completed the enjoyable evening.
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9th Dec 2015 - 19:00 hrs - Ensemble Gala Concert - Catherine Muncey -
Kieron O'Riordan - Jo Conquest - David Hartland
Wigston College, Wigston, Leics
It's always refreshing and inspiring hearing young musicians
demonstrate their skills and their enthusiasm for making music and this concert
was full of examples of both. Jo Conquest's Flute Choir included Peter Kutt's
Snowbreak which was challenging writing (written especially for flute choir)
that the ensemble had the measure of. The Junior Percussion Ensemble followed
director Kieron O'Riordan's dynamic control superbly: it was a joy to hear
percussion being played with such a range of crescendo, diminuendo and subito
dynamic changes.
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2nd Dec 2015 - 19:00 hrs - Force of Destiny - Conductor:- Mark
Wigglesworth.
Verdi's opera contains a lot of religious preaching and a very unevenly
paced plot development but it did give soprano Tamara Wilson a chance to hit
some amazing high notes (which she did consistently well).
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25th Nov 2015 - 20:30 hrs - Martha
Bean
Local singer song writer Martha Bean has an attractive voice and has
collected some sensitive musicians around her to allow her lyrics to be audible
and her songs to convey musical expression. She certainly has a big local
following.
Earlier in the evening two support bands were also accomplished, with
Mark Elliott and his band having a particularly crisp and punchy style.
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22nd Nov 2015 - 11:30 hrs - Nicolas Altstaedt - 'cello.
Your reviewer's first ever visit to this world famous chamber music
venue for a "coffee morning" solo 'cello recital given by Nicolas Alstaedt.
Three contrasting pieces with the Dutilleux and Britten showing his mastery of
contemporary 'cello technique and the JS Bach 'Cello Suite No. 5 allowing him
to swap to a baroque 'cello and bow to offer a light unsentimental
interpretation of this great work.
The rather austere interiour was offset by an impressive acoustic.
Sitting in row R, some distance from the front, the 'cello sounded remarkably
loud! An enjoyable medium sherry served as part of the ticket price immediately
following the concert made this an extremely enjoyable way to spend a Sunday
morning in London.
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21st Nov 2015 - 12:00 hrs - Carmen- Conductor - Paul Wynn
Griffiths.
Advertised conductor Alexander Joel was taken ill "ten minutes before"
curtain up and a very hasty stand in appeared (the start was delayed by only a
further ten minutes) in the form of Paul Wynn Griffiths who led the cast and
orchestra through a score they all must know intimately. Wonderful tunes and
great performances by a real live horse and a real live donkey.
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17th Nov 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Morgen und Abend - Conductor Michael
Boder
The world premier production of Georg Friederich Haas' latest opera
(libretto by Jon Fosse) proved to be a work of atmosphere rather than real
dramatic punch. A large orchestra is used to create a variety of orchestral
sounds (as well as some strikingly loud bass drum clouts the work also included
much twinkling and shimmering) added to which an offstage chorus also sang
pianisimo chords. Lighting and production were simple but effective.
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14th Nov 2015 - 19:30 hrs -
University of
Leicester Sinfonia - Michael Sackin - Eleanor Wilkinson (violin)
Clarendon Park Congregational Church, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
The musicianship of violinist Eleanor Wilkinson seemed to inspire the
orchestra to play with sensitivity and (with much encouragement from the
soloist during rehearsals) to keep phrases moving forward rather than indulging
in sentimental wallowing. The audience were thus able to enjoy Mendelssohn's
lyrical violin writing to the full.
Michael Sackin's enthusiasm for performing contemporary works was, this
evening, satisfied by the inclusion of Sonja Grossner's Humoresque for Strings.
Neatly constructed and skilfully orchestrated the work inhabits a somewhat more
conventional tonal world than some other works by this local composer and
proved and attractive listen.
Clarendon Park Congregational Church has a good acoustic for small
orchestral concerts and is warm and comfortable for players and audience alike.
It is a venue that ought to feature more frequently on the Leicester concert
circuit.
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7th Nov 2015 - 19:30 hrs, The
Derby Bach Choir - Richard Roddis - Andrew Kennedy (tenor) - Christopher
Maltman (baritone) - Leigh Woolfe (mezzo sop)
Derby Cathedral, Derby
Roger Swann = Horn
Richard Roddis really has a good feel for Elgar's masterpiece: Dream of
Gerontius. Admitedly this performance always had every chance of success with
the three outstanding soloists (all living up to their deservedly high
reputation) and the excellent Derby Bach Choir in top form. None the less the
conductor's shaping of phrases and encouragement of going for the extremes of
dynamics made this a performance to remember.
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24th Oct 2015 - 14:00 hrs - Fallen Angels
There is something pleasingly decadant about going to see a play in the
afternoon. The summer season at the Theatre by the Lake always has much to
enjoy and Noel Coward's witty script with it's deliberately open ended curtain
down had your reviewer smiling warmly in the first half an positively laughing
out loud in the second.
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22nd Oct 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck's powerfully moving yarn presented by students from
Lamda in this intimate venue. Simple but effective production and good acting
(Jack Sunderland as George and Aaron Pierre as Lennie) ensured a build up to
the final devestating scene.
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19th Oct 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Gewandhausorchestra Leipzig - Riccardo
Chailly (conductor) - Maria Joao Pires (piano)
Riccardo Chailly and the Gewandhausorchestra Leipzig form a rare team
that actually understands the beauty of orchestral colour and the need for
great care over balance within the ensemble to allow the range of shades in a
score to shimmer and glow in front of the audience. Some amazingly controlled
quiet playing (both wind and strings) in Mozart's piano concerto number 27
(K595) ensured that the restrained playing of Maria Joao Pires was never in
danger of being swamped.
The same attention to detail did not get in the way of passion and
expression in the glorious rendering of Strauss' Ein Heldenleben Op 40. The
string sections play unbelievably in synchronisation and this must be part of
the reason for their luscious intense tone. The other reason is of course
Strauss' amazing orchestration. Again, every time the composer doubles a string
section theme with a wind or brass instrument to give a hint of a different
timbre, Chailly seemed completely sensitive to the balance to gain maximum
effect. This was a stunning performance.
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17th Oct 2015 - 18:00 hrs - The Last Hotel - Conductor Andre de
Ridder
This was the type of event that fuels one's passion for new opera. The
type of event that the Royal Opera House manages to present more frequently
than you would think possible. The type of event that you wish you could take
"I don't like modern music" people to. Four top class performers (really high
soprano writing sung with ease by Aoife Miskelly ('Woman') and Katherine Manley
('Wife')). Good sound with the amplification being used to constructive effect
(sound design: David Sheperd & Helen Atkinson). Punchy music contrasting
with some atmospheric shimmering played with vigour and guts by Crash Ensemble
(conductor Andre de Ridder). All of these factors were on top of an interesting
set of characters bought to life by composer Donnacha Denney and writer Enda
Walsh
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8th Oct 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk -
English National Opera
The Coliseum, London.
An early work by Shostakovick with some moments of fun, moments of
catoonesqe vulgarity and also the odd moment of sincere sadness. Perhaps a
little of a mish-mash but rather enjoyable. The vast orchestra (including six
euphoniums) allowed the composer a vast dynamic range which was employed to the
full. The conductor was Mark Wigglesworth.
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1st, 2nd and 4th Oct 2015 - 19:30 hrs, 19:30hrs and 15:00 hrs - Eugene
Onegin - Knighton Opera - Paul Jenkins (conductor)
Fraser Noble Hall, Leicester
Roger Swann = horn
The culmination of months and months of work (both artistic and
administrative) by Knighton Opera founder Paul Jenkins was three hugely
enjoyable performances of Tchaikovsky's wonderfully tuneful opera Eugene
Onegin.
All four lead singers (Michelle Carlin - Tatiana, Nicky Bingham - Olga,
Chris Marlow - Onegin, Alexander Anderson-Hall - Lensky) were fantastic (both
singing and acting deserve this adjective) so the show was bound to succeed and
succeed it did. Given the very theatrically restrictive aspects of the concert
hall environment this fully staged presentation still managed to be quite a
spectacle. Paul Jenkins deserves a medal from Leicester City Council for his
seemingly endless time spent behind the scenes providing an opportunity for
Leicester audiences to enjoy this work
Michelle Carlin as Tatiana and Chris Marlow as Onegin demonstrating the
angst and anger during the final scene of Eugene Onegin.
( Photograph: Sergey Grishanova)
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26th Sept 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Eleanor Turner (harp) - Wild Bird
Ensemble
Trinity Methodist Church, Stamford
Eleanor Turner presented a concert split between her acoustic harp and
a lightly amplified harp and including two of her own compositions. Two works
required her to recite poems whilst playing, a task she seemed to accomplished
with complete ease.
In fact one of the hall marks of the concert was the vast amount of
preparation that had gone into every aspect. Alongside her natural musicianship
Eleanor Turner also possesses an enviable work ethic.
The highlight of the evening was the performance of Ravel's
Introduction and Allegro. The matching of the tone of Lisa Nelson's flute, Jack
McNeill's clarinet and Ben Roskams' viola (admittedly helped by Ravel's
masterful orchestration) ensured that the shimmering sound world of this piece
was completely seamless.
Eleanor Turner looking almost as magical as she sounds
( Photograph: unknown: if you took this photo please let us know and
we will add your credit here)
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19th Sept 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Andrew Zonlinsky (piano) - Audrey Riley
('cello) - James Woodrow (guitar)
St Andrews Church, Lyddington.
The Music in
Lyddington series continues to bring a wide range of music played by
musicians of the highest quality to this beautiful Rutland church. Tonight we
were treated to some fantastic pianism by Andrew Zonlinsky (his left hand in
Bach's French Suite BWV 815 making the modern piano sound like a pleasingly
deadened harpischord low register and mouthwatering colours in Liszt's Les Jeux
d'eau a la villa d'Este) and some equally stunning playing from 'cellist Audrey
Riley and guitarist James Woodrow. The ability to take what often sounds like a
fairly crude instrument, the electric guitar, and make it blend so exquisitely
with the quiet sustained sound of Audrey Riley's 'cello must make James Woodrow
unique among guitarists. He wasn't fazzed by some huge left hand stretches on a
classical acoustic guitar, playing Gaultier.
The evening's programme was based around two works by Gavin Bryars'
(Tre Laude Dolce and Lauda (con sordina)) and it was a pleasure to see him in
the church, enjoying the performance. He also gave an illuminating pre-concert
talk. It must be a contemporary composer's dream to have musicians of this
calibre so in tune with their writing to performing their work.
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Museum & Art Gallery, Leicester
Like last night's event the second half perhaps slightly overshadowed
the first. Heat was present here too, but in the form of the sell out audience
combined with a warm autumn evening making the hall a little over warm for
some! Nick Daniel had the imaginative idea of presenting a series of Faure
works as a "soire evening" might have been in nineteenth century Paris. The
performers sat informally on the stage when not actually performing, enjoying
each other's presentations. On paper it looked as if it might be a little drawn
out, but this couldn't have been further from the truth. Each piece was a joy,
demonstrating the lightness of touch without ever sounding trivial that seems
to be a hall mark of Gabrielle Faure.
The same was perhaps true of the final work: Faure's Piano Quartet No.
1 Op 15. Certainly there was some delicate playing from all four players
(Marina Chiche (violin), Philip Dukes (viola), Guy Johnston ('cello), Katya
Apekisheva (piano)) but also some powerfully intense drama to enjoy too.
A word of recognition for page turner Marguerite Beatson. An important
role that is rarely appreciated by anyone other than the performing pianists
and yet one that can jeopardise the success of a work with one moments lapse of
concentration.
The Leicester International Music Festival is a fantastic highlight of
Leicester's cultural calendar. It is commendable that it continues to receive
significant support from Leicester City Council as well as several corporate
and private sponsors
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Museum & Art Gallery, Leicester
Nicholas Daniel took advantage of the festival Beethoven theme to
programme Beethoven's variations on 'La ci darem la mano' from Mozart's Don
Giovanni for two oboes and cor anglais. Joined by James Turnbull and Jennifer
Brittlebank, all three demonstrated their virtuosic skills in this piece surely
rarely heard anywhere other than double reed or oboe centred gatherings. As
well as the technical and musical skills on display Nick Daniel, as ever,
really PERFORMS when on the stage. You can feel him communicating every musical
nuance to the the audience.
This concert really caught fire in the second half with a red hot
passionate performance of Cesar Frank's Piano Quintet in F minor (Giovanni
Guzzo, Marina Chiche (violins), Philip Dukes (viola), Guy Johnston ('cello),
Tom Poster (piano)). This was gripping, you could feel the whole audience
captured from the opening descending motif to the very last bar.
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12th Sept 2015 - 19:30 hrs - Helix Ensemble - Alpesh Chauhan -
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (piano)
St Mary's Church, Clifton, Nottinghamshire
Because of holiday date / rehearsal clashes your reviewer found
himself in front of the Helix Ensemble, a most enjoyable change from his
regular position in the horn section. It was great to see a very large audience
enjoy this performance in this beautiful church, given in aid of Postrate
Cancer UK and in memory of the long time Clifton resident Mike Ashton.
Everyone in the building appreciated the assured performance of
Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 12 K414 given by the talented (very) young pianist,
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason.
A very gutsy and exciting performance of Webern's early "Langsamer
Satz" gave the strings a chance to demonstrate their power (definitely some
hints of Richard Strauss here). Schubert's Symphony No. 5 was gave Alpesh
Chauhan a chance to draw a wide range of dynamics and expressive playing from
the group.
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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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Roger Swann
has a beautiful 2 bedroom holiday cottage called Swann Cottage in Derbyshire. You can get information about renting it
here.
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