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A Nice Blend
Mendelssohn, Haydn and Beethoven
from the Derby Concert Orchestra,
heard by MIKE WHEELER
Derby Concert Orchestra began its sixtieth season (St Peter's Church, Littleover, Derby, UK, 17 October 2009) with two established favourites and a work that ought to be.
Conductor Jonathan Trout's direction of Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture showed a nicely judged balance of calm and turbulence, though his approach to the central climax was oddly jerky in effect.
The first movement of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony was bright and jolly, though it was a pity that the movement's proportions were unbalanced by not observing the opening repeat. There was a similar bubbly sense of motion in the second movement while the third, though steady in tempo, had plenty of rhythmic bounce. The start of the storm was a little insecure, but it grew in force, and the finale was a nice blend of serenity and exuberance.
In between came Haydn's evergreen Sinfonia Concertante for oboe, bassoon, violin and cello. This charming, witty piece, written for his first visit to London, has been rather unfairly overshadowed by the symphonies composed for the same occasion. After a slightly tentative start, the performance quickly gained confidence, with fine contributions from DCO principals Anne Allcock, Ian Stokoe, Laura Zobel and Angela Carney respectively.
Copyright © 25 October 2009
Mike Wheeler,
Derby UK
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