Concert Programme and Reviews

Fine winter concert at college

A traditional programme of overture, concerto and symphony was presented by Harrogate Symphony Orchestra as its Winter Concert in the Soothill Hall at Ashville College on Saturday November 27 to an almost capacity audience. That the audience was very much of mixed ages, and how refreshing to see so many youngsters at a 'classical' concert, is proof of the popular following that this orchestra has and long may it continue.

Rossini's silken Ladder Overture was given a lively rendition although there were a couple of untidy passages - the upper strings in the tricky opening and the wind in recapitulation. However the performance sparkled with energy and vitality.

Fans of Rodrigo were spoilt for choice on this particular evening as his familiar Guitar Concerto could be heard in Knaresborough. However, the one heard in this concert was the lesser-known Concierto Andaluz which is written for four guitars and was played by the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet who are fast gaining a reputation in this unusual combination.

The dance-like outer movements (the first being very reminiscent of a bolero) were performed in a most rhythmic manner, the Spanish features being played in a very meaningfully stylish way. The first movement's main theme was articulated by the violins in impeccable unison and the section in irregular time was held together with precision.

The orchestra produced a beautifully sustained pianissimo accompaniment in the second movement and although the third movement's trumpet solo was a little too strident, the coda reached a delightful conclusion. The Quartet itself showed an excellent sense of ensemble especially in the slow movement's long cadenza and responded to the audience's enthusiasm for them by playing two imaginative encores - both by Andrew Yorke - which also employed the guitar partly as a percussion instrument.

The concert concluded with Tchaikovsky's Pathetique symphony in a performance in which conductor Bryan Western effectively exaggerated the work's extreme contrasts. Although the wind were a little dominant in the first movement, this was a passionate interpretation and the second movement's quintuple time flowed gracefully, settling well after an opening that displayed momentary poor blend and ensemble. The third movement March developed real drive and energy, again after an untidy start. The start of the Finale displayed the only deficiency in intonation (in the upper woodwind) in the entire concert and again the upper strings' scale passages were not always together. However passion was again to the fore and the work reached its tragic conclusion with the cellos and double basses producing a sound that lingered on well into its almost inaudible minimum. A truly memorable conclusion to a fine concert.

The photograph on the front of the excellently produce programme shows the orchestra performing in the Royal Hall. Let it be hoped that this orchestra can soon once again be performing to a larger audience in the kind of venue that it deserves.

- Paul Dyson, Harrogate Advertiser