In the Press

"SUMMER SPECTACULAR", 10th June 2007

The overture to "The Pirates of Penzance", which opened the concert, was last heard in the Town Hall when the Saffron Walden Amateur Operatic Society performed the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta there. It was nice to hear the piece given by a really large orchestra, rather than the usual small pit orchestra that we are accustomed to. The overture contains some delightful tunes. It was given a crisp and spirited performance by the Orchestra, ably conducted by Russell Keable.

Next came the highlight of the concert, Saint-Saëns' third violin Concerto. The soloist engaged to play this with the Orchestra was 15 year old Katy Smith, from the Yehudi Menuhin School. She gave an electrifying performance that demonstrated her prodigious technical skill. The piece itself has three movements, the first and last of which called for virtuosic playing from Katy. We were not disappointed. The soloist and Orchestra were well integrated with excellent orchestral support throughout. At the end of the piece the applause was loud, warm, lengthy and well deserved. It really was hard to believe that one so young could give such a brilliant performance. On the evidence of this performance, Katy is destined for great things. Full marks to the Orchestra for their playing and for selecting such a talented young artist as soloist.

The second half of the concert opened with another overture, Franz von Suppé's "Light Cavalry". Next we were given a selection of well-known melodies from Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake". Conductor Russell Keable explained how they fitted into the ballet from which they were taken. The selection was nicely played by the Orchestra, all sections of which had the opportunity to shine at some point in the performance. "Wiener Blut" by Johann Strauss II followed and then, finally, "Capriccio Italien". A suitably sunny piece to close a concert billed as a "Summer Spectacular".

Review by Robert Bartlett

"SPRING SERENADE", 18th March 2007

Just when winter appeared to have returned in the shape of snow showers, the Uttlesforde Orchestra gave their "Spring Serenade". Notwithstanding the weather, a good sized audience turned out to listen to, and enjoy, the Orchestra's efforts. The concert opened with Berlioz's Roman Carnival Overture, no doubt intended to make us think of sunny and warm days to come. From the bright opening through to the rousing finish of this Overture the Orchestra was under the firm control of conductor Russell Keable.

Next came the highlight of the evening, Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto. This piece is probably best known to film buffs as the incidental music used in the 1945 film "Brief Encounter". Rachmaninov wrote the Concerto in 1901 and, since he died in 1943, didn't live long enough to see the film. A young up and coming professional concert pianist, Robert Scamardella, played the piano part. Robert, who was born in 1983, was a finalist in the 2002 BBC Young Musician of the Year competition and has won many prizes, including the Professional Recital Prize of the Oxford International Music Festival in 2004. Robert played with a forceful percussive style that suited the piece and overcame the limitations of the piano. He was well supported by the Orchestra. It has to be said that, at times, this Concerto is very loud and the acoustic of the hall emphasised this to a significant degree.

After the interval the Orchestra gave us Brahms's Third Symphony. This is a lyrical and romantic piece that gave the opportunity for some subtle work from the Orchestra. It finishes quietly, so the concert moved from a rousing start (the Berlioz), through a major crescendo (the Rachmaninov), to a quiet and contemplative conclusion.

Review by Robert Bartlett

"A CHRISTMAS CRACKER", 10th December 2006

Music lovers in Saffron Walden have been well served over the weekend. On Saturday the Saffron Walden Choral Society gave their "The Spirit of Christmas" at St. Mary's Church and then on Sunday the Uttlesforde Orchestra presented an afternoon of popular music for all the family.

The afternoon got off to a bright and breezy start with Rimsky-Korsakov's Polonaise from Christmas Eve. This was followed by the well known Westminster Waltz by Robert Farnon. A light music classic, and by no means the only one on the programme. Next up was the Overture to Hansel and Gretel by Englebert Humperdinck (a composer whose name was appropriated by a singer in the 1960s). The audience (which included quite a number of children) were encouraged to listen for the elements of the fairy tale depicted in the music.

After this the Orchestra could take a break whilst the Sawston Village College Chamber Choir performed five carols. These were sung without accompaniment, reliance being placed on the harmonies and counterpoint of the singers. The standard was very high. A tribute to their music teacher and conductor, Janet Macleod (who was recently named Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year) and, of course, to the hard work that must have been put in by the students themselves.

The Orchestra then played the Galop from Bizet's Children's Games. The conductor, Russell Keable, was obviously in holiday mood and encouraged the audience to clap along with the music. After an interval, the Orchestra gave Leroy Anderson's Belle of the Ball followed by Jack Strachey's In Party Mood. This latter piece is much better known as the theme to Housewives Choice. Corelli's Concerto Grosso in G minor provided a more serious contrast. After that, Russell Keable enlisted further audience participation for Spinning Top from Bizet's Children's Games. The final work listed on the programme was a selection from Oklahoma! A very popular choice with plenty of good tunes that could be hummed. By way of encore, the Orchestra gave Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride. But not until he had ascertained that the audience had sufficient bells (bunches of keys) to jingle along to the music with.

This was an excellent concert, well played by the Orchestra, conducted with style and good humour, and with the added bonus of the choir from Sawston Village College.

Review by Robert Bartlett