Extended applause for orchestra

AT THE heart of the Charnwood Orchestra’s recent concert in Emmanuel Church, was Max Bruch’s renowned Violin Concerto.

Conductor Nick Fallowfield ensured great balance between soloist and orchestra, which immediately captured the evocative mood, as the soloist began the lyrical opening theme. Soloist Simon Smith seemed effortless in realising both the piece’s gorgeous lyricism, and its virtuosic candezas. A polished performance, in which the strings, often providing the body of the music, played with effective articulation and intonation.

The other two pieces required an expanded orchestra, to great effect. The concert opened with Dvorak’s Scherzo Capriccioso, a well-written piece, with playful phrases and imaginative key changes – and a masterclass in orchestral colour, with delicate sections throughout, where various instrumentalists flourish. The opening horn call, the resonant harp, the sparkling piccolo, the wonderfully mellow bass clarinet with answering phrases on the flutes, and the haunting cor anglais – many memorable lyrical lines, all played with great feeling and flair.

The concert closed with Prokofiev’s Symphony No.7 – his final symphony. Nic Fallowfield reminded us that this music has proved influential for much film music since – very instructive. Prokofiev died the same day as Stalin, and the challenge in 1952 was to write great music, despite the dangers. Prokofiev succeeded with a lovely work with sweeping tunes, but also the characteristic flickers of witty key changes that mark all his works.

The orchestra – expanded further with piano, xylophone and glockenspiel – executed the atmospheric opening well, then gave us a waltz (more Ravel than Strauss – part impulsive romp, part improvisatory dance). The Andante provided a restful interlude, with fine contributions on the xylophone. And the finale was classic Prokofiev, with brilliant chordal sequences landing unexpectedly back ‘home’, and giving something of a circus feel, before a peaceful resolution. Extended applause showed audience appreciation.