Concert Reviews
Here are some independent reviews given by one of our Friends on our most recent concerts:
29th November 2008 - A VAUGHAN WILLIAMS PILGRIMAGE
2008 has seen a plethora of concerts throughout the land commemorating the 50th anniversary of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ death, and naturally the Folkestone and Hythe Orchestra wished to make its contribution to the celebration of this visionary composer.
The Society’s winter concert opened with “The Wasps” overture, a frenetic number in which R.V.W. brilliantly interprets the humour of Aristophanes’ Greek comedy – a characteristic not lost by a carefully articulated performance under the eagle eye of the conductor Andrew Lowen.
The fifth symphony given in the second half was completed during the dark days of the second world war and whether its largely pastoral quality is because of, or in spite of that conflict, we can only speculate. One thing is certain, the orchestra faired well in the jaunty scherzo while leader Floriane Peycelon’s poignant soaring violin solo contributed to the timeless nature of the Romanza before the radiant Passacaglia heralded the valediction of an otherworldly masterpiece.
Paganini always provides fireworks and as a curious “sandwich filler” an account of his lengthy D major violin concerto featured a much talented 15 year old Jian Ren dazzling the large and appreciative audience with astonishing technique and virtuosity.
A.K.H.
28th June 2008 - NORTHERN LIGHTS
On almost the longest day of the year the Folkestone and Hythe Orchestra turned to the land of the Midnight Sun for an inspirational summer concert of music by two Scandinavian ‘Greats’ – Edvard Grieg and Jean Sibelius. As an aperitif, however, the audience was treated to ‘Praeludium’, a catchy lyrical piece by Armas Jarnefelt from 1907.
Eight character or mood pieces from Grieg’s incidental theatre music for Ibsen’s play ‘Peer Gynt’ included an intoxicating ‘Arabian Dance’ while ‘Anitra’s Dance’ displayed delicate shifting textures before the grotesque but exciting ‘Hall of the Mountain King’ brought a shattering conclusion to the first half of the programme.
Conductor Andrew Lowen and the Orchestra indispensably led by Floriane Peycelon excelled in their tense reading of the Sibelius Second Symphony – a granite-like structure where the composer discards any Tchaikovskian rhetoric that influences the first symphony and becomes his own man! The opening wayward Allegretto always presents a challenge to both player and listener which is ultimately resolved. The desolate grandeur of the second movement drew carefully articulated contributions from all sections and the breathtaking transition from the Scherzo to final Allegretto was simply tremendous.
A.K.H.
5th April 2008 - CAPITAL HAYDN
A classical programme built around two late 18th century masterworks graced the Folkestone and Hythe Orchestra’s Spring concert.
Beethoven’s Coriolan overture that opened the evening was full of drama under Andrew Lowen’s direction, splendidly conveying the heroic nature of the piece.
Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 reflects a more dark and tragic mood than its predecessors – maybe a foreshadow of Beethoven’s symphonic style. Katherine Tinker proved an accomplished soloist throughout the performance creating sensitive interplay with the wind section, while a simple stillness in the Larghetto brought a welcome contrast to the dramatic outer movements.
During the 1790’s Joseph Haydn, the Father of the Symphony, embarked on two protracted but very fruitful visits to England responding with the twelve so-called London Symphonies. This delightful concert concluded with possibly the most famous and majestic of the group – No. 104. The sizeable audience was treated to an interpretation that really came to life with a spirited finale suggesting the London street sellers cry “Hot Cross Buns”.
A.K.H.
22nd December 2007 - A WINTER'S TONIC
The Folkestone and Hythe Orchestra’s Christmas concert under the baton of Andrew Lowen, making his debut as principal conductor, offered a much needed tonic for a chilly December night.
Sir William Walton who assumed the mantle of Elgar with his 1937 Coronation March ‘Crown Imperial’ brought a hint of pomp and circumstance to the opening proceedings of a diverse programme. In contrast, Walton’s distinctive arrangement of Bach cantata extracts includes an affecting ‘Sheep May Safely Graze’, possibly the most refreshing number to emerge from ‘The Wise Virgins’ ballet score.
The first part of the concert closed with a suite from Tchaikovsky’s popular ballet ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ – testament to the quality of the composer’s creativity in this genre.
Rimsky-Korsakov’s ‘Snow Maiden’ suite displays a feast of good tunes including the robust ‘Dance of the Tumblers’ delivered by the players with their customary zeal.
The concert concluded with a most innovative and rewarding piece – Barnsley born Patric Standford’s ‘A Christmas Carol Symphony’ – a clever and often dissonant montage of seasonal melodies designed to tease the listener’s ear. The eerie Andante tranquillo second movement and the highly-charged Rondo Finale were characteristic of a convincing interpretation.
A.K.H.
17th March 2007 - POSTCARD FROM BAVARIA
A substantial programme of 19th century classics largely influenced by the German tradition formed the backbone of the Folkestone and Hythe Orchestra’s well supported Spring concert.
Sir Edward Elgar’s 150th anniversary year was celebrated with an exquisite performance of the charming Three Bavarian Dances – his very own musical postcard from Garmisch Partenkirchen! These early pieces may lack the quintessential Englishness that pervades the later works, however, the dashing final dance ‘The Marksmen’ indicates the composer’s unfolding maturity and style.
Dynamic 14 year old pianist Svyatoslav Antipov gave total commitment to Weber’s Konzertstuck with a deft handling of tempo changes which pleased both audience and orchestra alike.
After the interval conductor Graham Harvey and his musicians delivered a thrilling account of the Brahms C minor Symphony negotiating the contours of its tempestuous symphonic argument with dexterity before unveiling the majestic broad tune of the final movement.
16th December 2006 - ENCHANTING SCHEHERAZADE
Deputy Conductor Andrew Lowen took charge of the Folkestone and Hythe Orchestra for a glittering Christmas concert in December.
A finely etched performance of Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture in which one could almost taste the salt spray of this romantic seascape preceded excerpts from Rimsky-Korsakov’s Symphonic Suite ‘Scheherazade’.
The near-capacity audience, although denied the Final Storm sequence, experienced an electrifying account of the dazzling first three movements enhanced by leader Floriane Peycelon’s beguiling portrayal of Scheherazade.
Sir Malcolm Arnold’s robust Little Suite No.2 with its sentimental but irresistible tune of the ‘Ballad’ section – a trademark of the composer – saw the orchestra in fine fettle before offering lucid accompaniment to a concert version of Howard Blake’s popular seasonal tale ‘The Snowman’. Treble chorister Thomas Lowen made a touching contribution with the theme song ‘Walking in the Air’ with lively narrative support from Tim Andrews.
8th July 2006 - BRAVE NEW WORLD
The Folkestone and Hythe Orchestral Society’s Summer Prom held in July proved a very popular concert.
Mozart’s ‘Magic Flute’ Overture provided a dramatic curtain raiser prior to a performance of Dvorak’s ‘New World’ Symphony which created some unforgettable moments. The hushed intensity of Hilary Sell’s cor anglais solo in the second movement enabled one to hear the Largo with fresh ears. Under the baton of Graham Harvey we were guaranteed a lilting Scherzo and a swaggering Finale to this masterpiece.
As tradition dictates, the second half offered several ‘lollipops’ with Offenbach’s racy Overture ‘Orpheus in the Underworld’ setting the evening alight, while the orchestra led by Floriane Peycelon really excelled in ‘Soirees Musicales’ – Benjamin Britten’s ingenious arrangement of pieces by Rossini.
Henry Wood’s jaunty ‘Fantasia on British Sea Songs’ and Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 were delivered with customary Proms-style flair and the inevitable audience participation helped to conclude the evening on a note of hope and glory.