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NIDDERDALE HERALD
29 July 2008
Harrogate International Festival review: Academy of St Martin in the Fields Academy of St Martin in the Fields,
Conducted by Sir Neville Marriner,
Royal Hall, Harrogate
AN expectant audience was treated to a delightful evening of music making in The Royal Hall by the famous Academy of St Martin in the Fields under the able direction of the equally famous Sir Neville Marriner.
But first to the newly-refurbished Royal Hall, for those, like me, who were originally sceptical of the idea of spending so much money on the scheme, I can safely say it has been money well spent.
It is a wonderful refurbishment and the claim that 'more gold leaf has been used than any similar project' is certainly true, it positively gleams. My particular delight is being able to promenade the entire circle of the hall.
And now to the music – The concert opened with Haydn's Symphony No 59 in A, a piece with which I was not personally familiar, but, as a Haydn aficionado, it soon became evident that his propensity for melodic compositions was well to the fore.
Nicknamed 'Fire' it is believed that it might have been incidental music for a German play called Die Feursbrunst (The Conflagration).
In four movements the lively first movement is sometimes believed to indicate leaping flames which as the music slows towards the end, the eventual dying down of the flames.
Musically the Academy of St Martin the Fields were in fine fettle but I was a little disappointed with the horns fanfare in the slow movement, which was a little subdued.
The second item on the programme was Schubert's Rondo in A for violin and strings D438. Here we were treated to a virtuoso display of violin playing by the soloist for the evening – Simone Lamsma a statuesque young lady from Holland who has established herself as a much sought after soloist and recitalist. The piece remained unpublished until 1897. It is Schubert at his most exuberant allowing Ms Lamsma to fully realise the great joy of the music. The accompaniment was excellent and the whole piece was a delight.
After the interval we were joined again by the delightful Simone Lamsma in Camile St Saens Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso. This is well known to all Radio 3 and Classic FM listeners and needs no embellishment by me other than to say that the music shows all the St Saens brilliance of composition.
Suffice it is to say that Ms Lamsma excelled herself in this challenging piece with a virtuoso performance that brought huge applause from the audience and the orchestra. St Saens wrote the Rondo for his friend the famous young Spanish violinist Pablo de Sarasate in 1863.
The final piece was another concert goer's favourite - Bizet's Symphony in C. It is extraordinary to think that the Symphony in C was composed in just one month when Bizet was only just 17! In four movements the opening movement is exuberant and full of youthful excitement, but , to me, the highlight of this piece is the haunting oboe melody in the adagio beautifully played by Christopher Cowie, principal oboist.
Soaring violin melodies follow which look forward to the Flower Song in Carmen and in the finale you can hear the themes for the bullfight and the chorus of the street urchins in Carmen.
I can’t finish this review without mentioning Sir Neville Marriner and the The Academy of St Martin in the Field that he founded as long ago as 1959. A violinist himself his energy and determination has made this orchestra the worldwide success it is. His vigour is extraordinary for a man of his age, born in 1924 most people would be content to retire, but not him. His ability to extract the best from his orchestra and his obvious enjoyment in conducting was there for all to see and enjoy. The quality of the players in his beloved orchestra is legendry. Knighted in 1985 he is a most amazing man, long may he prosper. Finally, I must say how disappointing it is to see so few young people at these classical concerts, I do hope that efforts will be made to attract a younger audience. George Pyman |
