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Symphony orchestra’s  full-scale success

RARELY have members of St Albans Symphony Orchestra performed better than they did at their concert in the Abbey on Saturday. And the concert, part of the St Albans Festival, was given extra poignancy with the announcement of the death of long- time orchestra member, viola player
Anthony Wigram.

In an announcement at the start of the concert conductor Bjorn Bantock dedicated the evening to his memory. Opening the concert was a performance of the rarely-played Enchanted Lake by the little-known Russian composer Anatoly Konstantinovich Liadov.

Although it is a pleasant enough piece, it was quite uninspiring and left me simply waiting for the next work, Ravel’s exciting orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, a work full of
excitement and colour and one where the orchestra really showed its mettle. Perhaps the main feature of a quite remarkable performance was the excellent trumpet work initially in the first Promenade section and in one of the later “pictures”.

Also worthy of a mention was the excellent tuba solo in another of the “pictures”. It is rare to hear his instrument featured to such an extent and the performance was a delight. But the work gave every section of the orchestra an opportunity to shine, and shine they all did to produce a truly
excellent performance.

For many, the main work of the evening, Rachmaninov’s luscious second symphony, was the prime attraction and once more the orchestra did it proud. Although the first movement is thoroughly absorbing, it is the later movements, particularly the second and third, which are best known. The delightful second movement opens with an important section played by the orchestra’s horns, a section which I have criticised in the past. But I am delighted to say that throughout this work where their impact is so important,and indeed, throughout the entire
concert they, like other members, gave a thoroughly pleasing performance.

The symphony brought to an end the first season in which Bjorn Bantock has been the orchestra’s principal conductor and one in which he has made a really positive mark on the overall level of
performance. Already published, the orchestra’s programme for the next season includes
two joint concerts, one featuring Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah and the second a performance of Verdi’s Requiem, as well as other concerts featuring outstanding local musicians.

JOHN MANNING

For further information, contact:

David Utting (SASO Press Officer): 01727 762855 / 07930 313790

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