Worcestershire | Archive | 2003 | November | 07
From the archive, first published Friday 7th Nov 2003.
Once again, the culmination of the `Side by Side' course was when its students performed alongside professionals in concert.
Bloch's Schelomo - Hebrew Rhapsody for cello & orchestra, an inspirational but rarely-performed work, was a stimulating choice. Peter Adams, principal cellist, excelled as soloist, opening the work in recitative fashion with flowing solo rhythmic phrases suggestive of Hebrew incantation. His warm melodic haunting song emanated from his glorious-toned cello to pervade the piece, in a passionate interpretation.
Beautiful singing strings and estimable contributions from the brass section, snatches of solo comments by woodwind and augmentations by percussion and drums, created fervent orchestral tone.
In The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Dukas, rising fury and aggression was paramount as the full orchestra reached proportions of fortissimo, before a conclusion marked by punctilious rests.
Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.6 in B minor was another excellent inclusion for the young musicians. Melody was ever present and mood changes were effectively made.
A sombre beginning dramatized by double-basses and woodwind ushered in lovely and intense viola playing. Brass provided enormous strength before a return to sombreness.
Expressive tempi and dynamics elevated the romantic waltz of the second movement; dramatic drum rolls and percussive cymbals energised a precision march within the `Allegro molto vivace'.
The Finale, though solemn, was melodious; a finely executed harmonic brass section added to desolation prior to a superb diminuendo from low strings in the closing bars.
A few ragged phrases and some scrambling in the high strings was evident but, overall, the students effected a most enjoyable concert.
Jill Hopkins
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