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Orchestra members and
guests raise a toast to the CSO
at a centenary celebration costume party
at County Hall
REVIEW -
Robert Long
THE OBSERVER
"Musical centenary concert
applauded"
The special programme, conducted by Ralph Willatt and led by Ted
Richards and which included three soloists in three concerto items,
was played to an overflowing audience.
The Orchestra opened the concert with a solid performance of Nicolai's
Overture, "The Merry Wives of Windsor". Patrick Moore,
astronomer and musician, then Vice-president of the Orchestra, made a
guest appearance and played his own composition "Free Fall"
for Xylophone and Orchestra.
In the first half of the programme, Alan Thurlow, who was then
President of the Orchestra and Cathedral Organist, played
Rheinberger's Concerto for Organ in G minor, a richly scored work and a
well integrated performance of considerable merit and accomplishment.
Jeremy Smith who at sixteen years was one of the youngest members of
the Orchestra, played Mozart's Oboe Concerto with sparkle and imagination
and considerable attention to detail and nuance.
In the second half of the Concert, the Orchestra showed their prowess with
a lively account of Britten's superbly orchestrated recomposed gems from
Rossini's Soirees Musicales. The Concert concluded appropriately with
Elgar's beloved Bavarian Dances. |
