Conductor Howard Griffiths gave us some outstanding musical moments over the Whit Weekend with three Gala Concerts. On Sunday evening, Soloist Gautier Capucon, Cellist, played Tschaikowsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, one of the most challenging and difficult compositions for the cello and his very moving Andante Cantabile based on a Russian folksong
Highlight of the Matinee on Monday morning must surely have been Scarlatti’s Piano Sonatas played by the young Olivier Cavé and and Boismartier’s Sonata for Recorder and Piano. Maurice Steger is considered to be one of the finest recorder players.
At the Monday afternoon,Youth and Classic Concert, Ann Lisiecki from Canada, barely sixteen and just graduated from high school, gave a powerful rendering of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major. Our youngest BRA members were entertained with Benjamin Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, and last in the programme, two modern pieces together with the Crazy Hoppers.
Remarks from children after the concert included “Why do we have to sit still the whole time”, “ I liked the last pieces with the Crazy Hoppers” – David, aged 8. “I wish I could play that well but I don´t want to practice!” – Lara, aged 8. “The first piece was cool with the piano player who looked like Justin Bieber (teenage pop star). It was a nice end to the weekend. Can we go again?” – Melissa, aged 11.
Joanna Koch