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| A splendid evening of British and Czech music
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The orchestra's Summer Concert, conducted by Gareth Harris, took place at Holy Trinity Church, Trowbridge on Saturday 18th June.
The opening item "The Banks of Green Willow" by George Butterworth Is a well crafted orchestration with a melancholy melody and harmony passing around and well balanced throughout.
"From Bohemia's Woods and Fields" by Bedrich Smetana. Impressive introduction indicating good things to come. Delightful flowing flutes, accurate harmonics from upper strings, rich cello sounds. Chorale passages very well played. Good rhythmic playing from everyone leading to finale.
"Romance for Orchestra in Eb Major" by Thomas Curran. First public performance of this work, conducted by the composer, who is also a viola player in the orchestra. Introduction was a blend of instrumental tones over a lower strings drone. Despite the complexity of orchestration all the solo and section passages were clear to the listener. The players responded to the conductor excellently with oboe, cor-anglais, brass, and leader receiving well deserved acknowledgement.
"Symphony No 8 in G Major" by Antonin Dvorak
Allegro con Brio: Confident playing, particularly cellos, produced the "Brio" effect interspersed with delicate woodwind and good horn playing.
Adagio: Well balanced opening with good cor anglais. Decorative descending strings sounded well as did similar passage taken by woodwind. Trumpets, in well tuned unison, created a climax.
Allegretto Grazioso: Rhythms and dynamics well presented with good underlying melody.
Allegro ma non Troppo: Good introductory fanfare from trumpets. Cellos displayed good tone section playing. After solo and section interplay it led to a spirited finale with the horns creating excitement and a rousing conclusion from all.
It was the conductor's final concert with Trowbridge Symphony. He was thanked by the Chairman and in his response introduced his successor Phillip Draisey.
Leon Found
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| The next concert is on November 19th at St. James Church |
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