Reader PATRICK BYRNE enjoys Trinity Orchestra's latest concert and finds one soloist is the talk of the town
HARROW'S Trinity Orchestra got its new season off to a fine start with a great flourish of English music, albeit inspired by Italy. Elgar's Overture In the South (more of a tone poem really) depicts the landscape after what was obviously a very enjoyable holiday which he spent with his wife at Alassio.
The centrepiece of the concert was The Scottish Fantasy by Max Bruch. This is a concerto in all but name and was given a stunning performance by a young Russian violinist, Anna-Liisa Bezrodny. She poured out a stream of golden tones throughout. The work uses real Scots melodies which she played with warmth and affection in the lyrical ones, and a real Scottish snap whererequired.
This lovely artiste was given a great ovation and everyone including members of the orchestra talked about her during the interval. Rarely have I heard such beautiful playing.
Anyone who knows Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet should try Prokofiev's Ballet Suites.
It encapsulates all the poetry and drama of Shakespeare in its nine movements, from the tempestuous brawling of the Montagues and the Capulets to the tender and tragic romance of the young lovers.
This is a fiendishly difficult score which would test any orchestra and it is a testament to this band's courage in programming it at all, let alone how well they played it.
Harrow is well served by the chamber recitals at St John's Church and St George's Church, but it is my opinion that this orchestra is the gem in Harrow's cultural crown.
