Classical music is certainly alive and kicking in Oakwood in the hands of Derek Holland and the musicians of the ALBA Sinfonia. The Baptist Church in Oakwood is a small, but lovely venue where Holland and his musicians provide well known and less known works in equal measure. From the serious and popular classics to the lighter classical repertoire, there is something for everyone.
Tonight’s concert was as typical and exciting as any they are likely to perform, starting with Sir Arthur Sullivan’s Overture to Iolanthe. Derek Holland made a point that this is a Sullivan made overture and not bits cobbled together by another hand. This was evident in the beautifully crafted scoring and ALBA gave us good, solid playing with lovely woodwind phasing brought out between the string passages.
Next, they played a light classical piece by the ever popular American composer Leroy Anderson, a piece that gave principaltrumpeter – Dylan Lehner – a chance to shine in the Trumpeter’s Lullaby. He played it beautifully with lovely phasing, alsoattentively accompanied by the main ensemble.
The ALBA Sinfonia has so many talented musicians, and yet another soloist from within the group was able to shine in the nextwork. This time a young cellist – Shannon Do – who playedGabriel Faure’s Elegie for cello and orchestra. She was nervous to start with but gave us a delightful rendering of one of Faure’s most heartfelt works.
Next a composer who I had never heard of, Johann Georg Heinrich Backofen. As typical for this group, they always find the unusual and less known and this work was unusual too, it was a concerto for two clarinets. This allowed the two clarinettist –Adele Gordon and Ken Ruffell - to show off their technique. A rather Mozartian sounding work, but fun to hear and played superbly.
To round off the first half of the concert, the stage was rearranged for a septet of 3 oboes – Barry Solomon (Principal), Mary Pilbery, Linda Tyler and 3 violins – Lucy Cumming (Leader), EmmaShaughnessy, Serena Leader, with continuo. The continue consisting of Derek Holland on the keyboard, Hele Boyea on double bass and Caitlin Stock on bassoon, so the septet was technically a nonet! This was a piece by Georg Philipp Telemannin 3 short movements and played brilliantly by all. Testament to the depth of ability throughout the group.
After the interval we were treated to another Leroy Anderson work – Serenata - a charming piece and again played with verve and lightness of touch. They brought out the Latin American overtones and Leroy’s deft orchestration.
It was Mozart’s birthday, and they wouldn’t let that pass without celebration. Another soloist, principal bassoonist – Caitlin Stockgave a stunning performance of the Bassoon concerto in B flat. The accompaniment was sensitive and supportive throughout the performance. Tempi and phasing spot on.
The evening was squared off with Haydn Symphony 101 the ‘clock’. From the mysterious opening, the dramatic sequences in the so called, clock second movement, the extended menuetto and trio and on to the breathless Finale, their playing was up to the tempi and vision Derek Holland had for the work. I have to say it was a tour de force and the great conductor Arturo Toscaniniwould have approved. Exhilarating!
A thoroughly worthwhile evening’s entertainment, I look forward as ever to the next one.
Graham Wilson (Freelance Reviewer)
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