Arts Dairy: MUSIC: Chetham's Symphony Orchestra, Chester Cathedral.Byline: GLYN MON HUGHES THERE was certainly something of an air of expectancy and excitement at Chester Cathedral for the visit of Chetham's Symphony Orchestra. The turnout was reasonable, bearing in mind quite horrendous weather, but anyone who missed this concert missed what surely must be one of the most spectacular performances of the year. Members of the orchestra are all pupils at the famous Manchester-based Chetham's School of Music. They are highly gifted individuals embarking on sparkling musical careers. One niggle nig·gle intr.v. nig·gled, nig·gling, nig·gles 1. To be preoccupied with trifles or petty details. 2. To find fault constantly and trivially; carp. See Synonyms at quibble. at the back of my mind was whether a symphony orchestra and a very large one at that would work when so many soloists come together. From the very opening, that thought was dispelled. They chose Dvorak's Scherzo Capriccioso ca·pric·cio·so adj. Music Lively and free. Used chiefly as a direction. [Italian, from capriccio, caprice; see caprice.] and, under the baton of American conductor Franz Anton Krager, produced a performance full of life, vivacity and enthusiasm, proving themselves the equal of any of the professional symphony orchestras in the region. In the Dvorak, there was some refined string playing as well as spectacular woodwind and brass sounds. Notably, throughout, Krager kept a controlled pace, forcing nothing but going for maximum impact, and achieving it. Spectacular that might have been but the playing of 16- year old violinist Mathieu van Bellen Mathieu van Bellen (born in March 29, 1988 in Hulst) is a Dutch violinist Van Bellen started playing the violin at the age of four. During the first year he was taught by Mrs. Schepman and he continued with Prof. Nico Baltussen in Sint-Niklaas (Belgium). in Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole was often breathtaking. From the playful nostalgia of the opening movement through a fast-moving scherzando scher·zan·do Music adv. & adj. In a light playful manner. Used chiefly as a direction. n. pl. scher·zan·dos A scherzando passage. to the final stylishly energetic rondo finale, there was energy here as well as massive skill. Even the central intermezzo and the power and pathos of the andante passed off well, the soloist and orchestra at one in the interpretation of the work. They closed the concert with Tchaikovsky's powerfully moving Fourth Symphony. Great demands are made of the brass in this work and they were, consistently spot on. So was the woodwind. Chetham's can be proud of this outfit and, if they're ever on in your part of the world, book a ticket. Nobody could be disappointed. |
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