After the interval the orchestra moved on to the symphony. This was a work that I did not know well, but the orchestra’s rendition certainly sold it to me: the whole piece was entirely charming and pleasant, from the serene beauty juxtaposed with 'Sturm und Drang' in the first movement, via the dainty slow movement and lively scherzo to the brilliante-style finale. My only criticism would be that the slow movement lost some of its momentum and further suffered from some slight mishaps in the brass section. This said, the faster movements were perfectly controlled and the balance between the sections was beautifully managed, allowing the dynamic contrast to have a stunning effect throughout.
All in all, the concert was well worth braving a cold night to enjoy, but it would have been nice to see more support for the Young Artists' Platform.
by Simon Ogdon
