Daily Archives: 6 October, 2013

BPS: Opening concert

Posted on by

Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth, 6 October 2013

Saved almost at the last minute by generous donations from friends and well-wishers, the new season got off to a rousing start with an all-Beethoven programme. Barry Wordsworth took a moment to thank those who had donated and also to welcome back leader John Bradbury who has been missed by all of us over the last year.

The afternoon may have looked conventional enough but the playing, particularly the concerto, made this into a highly memorable occasion.

Radiant horns and some subtle woodwind brought Beethoven’s overture Leonore No3 to life, setting the seal for the afternoon.

Jason Gillham

Jayson Gillham may have a reputation for being somewhat laid-back but there was nothing overtly casual about his approach to the Emperor concerto. The opening was brisk and bright, with a clipped staccato attack, before a beautifully paced and almost indulgently romantic account of the second movement. Fire returned with a bouncing rondo finale which at times verged on the cheeky. A splendid interpretation, and one which captured the enthusiasm of the audience. Many wanted to applaud after the first movement, which on this occasion would certainly have been justified – had this been a Prom it would almost certainly have happened!

The Pastoral symphony was a more relaxed affair though tempi were mainly on the rapid side. The horns again impressed, with the rasp of the hunt in appropriate places. I had not realised before how astute Beethoven is in keeping the music moving so fluidly. Where Vaughan Williams’ pastoral approach verges on stasis and meditative calm, Beethoven’s rural scene is constantly alive and buzzing, bar by bar, without any hint that the excitement of life will end. The cellos came into their own towards the end of the last movement and the whole reached a fine and highly satisfactory conclusion.

The next concert on Sunday 3 November brings us an all Bach programme including the Magnificat where the BPS are joined by the Brighton Festival Chorus. Details from www.brightonphil.org.uk BH

Bexhill Choral Society: Mozart, Schubert & J C Bach

Posted on by

St Augustine 11 6 13 (4)

St Augustine’s, Bexhill, 5 October 2013

Mozart’s unfinished C minor Mass is not long enough for an evening by itself and on this occasion was sensibly supported by shorter liturgical works by near contemporaries.

The opening Kyrie of the C minor brought us solid choral sound and more than sufficient orchestral accompaniment, and there was a good sense of attack in the Gloria. Claire Williamson had no difficulty with the coloratura of Laudamus te and her duet with Sophie Pullen for Domine Deus was pleasing. Sophie Pullen herself floated the heady lines of Et incarnatus est with ease. If the chorus suffered with occasional poor entries they managed to pull things together for the Sanctus and concluded the work with aplomb, thanks to the strengthening of the solo quartet.

Kenneth Roberts’ approach to the Mass was brisk and business-like but he was more lyrical for Schubert’s Magnificat D486, which allowed all the soloists to blossom before a finely honed Gloria patri.

Amidst the sacred works came two interlopers. The strings of the Sussex Concert Orchestra gave us a workmanlike rendition of Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik, and Peter Grevatt sang the count’s aria from Act 3 of Le Nozze di Figaro. Though splendidly done it did seem a little out of place.

The evening concluded with J C Bach’s Magnificat in C. The bassoons left at this point which was a pity given the fine solo they had provided during Mozart’s Et incarnates est but Andy Gill’s solo trumpet more than compensated. The work looks back rather than forward and is easier on the chorus than the earlier works. It proved to be a fine conclusion to a rewarding evening.

The next event for Bexhill Choral Society will be Carols for Choir and Orchestra at 7.30pm Saturday 7 December, at St Augustine’s, Bexhill. www.bexhillchoral.org.uk 01424 213352 BH