As I composed my review of the opening Lakeland Sinfonia Society concert of the new season, I was presented by a kaleidoscope of thoughts.
An English gem aside, it had been a Classical Viennese programme.
The orchestra acquitted itself well (brilliantly at times), woodwinds and horns were excellent.
How lovely to hear the mellow beauty of a wooden flute and how well the orchestra was served by it bassoonists.
The was great pleasure in hearing clarinets, trumpets and timps in the final item; the harpist tunes during the interval, accompanied sensitively in her cameo role and departs.
The strings, despite untidy moments and perhaps underpowered, perform heroically with enjoyment, sweet tone, virtuosity, musicianship; what a delight to hear care lavished on second violin and viola lines.
The programme included Schubert's engaging 5th Symphony, Mozart's 4th Horn Concerto played with panache by Peter Francomb, Vaughan Williams's Fantasia on Greensleeves (temp perfectly poised) and finally, Beethoven's ebullient 8th Symphony.
The Northern Sinfonia conducted by the admirable Richard Hickox was simply superb.
BP
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