Reviews
November 2013
LEAMINGTON COURIER
Beauchamp Sinfonietta Concert
Creative programming, excellent winds and a stunning violin soloist are ingredients of yet another Beauchamp success at Leamington Town Hall.
The orchestra's tribute to Benjamin Britten during this year's celebration of 100 years since his birth included Arvo Part's Cantus and Britten's Suite on English Folk Tunes with Emma Williams delivering a first class oboe contribution. The remarkable Simon Smith joined the orchestra to play Mozart's Violin Concerto No 5 with the gorgeous tone from his Rogeri 1708 violin delivering excellent cadenzas.
Beauchamp enjoys a full orchestra contribution with lots of fortissimo. However there was a danger of the timpani overdoing things. Overall a very good start to the season.
Brimming emotion in expressive Leamington concert
Beauchamp Sinfonietta concert, Leamington Town Hall, April 28.
There’s no shortage of fine recordings of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A. However, a live performance at the town hall by the outstanding Neil Aston lifts the spirits of the loyal Beauchamp audience.
That middle movement, adagio, brings a tear to the eye of many – it is such an expressive movement with masses of brimming emotion.
Aston plays a basset clarinet – created using ebonite from China and using US skills for the finishing touches. His sparkling rondo brought a memorable performance to an end.
Beauchamp opened up with Hindemith’s overture, Amor and Psyche, at times putting leader Sue Meteyard, playing solo violin, in direct competition with trombones and other brass. She held her own.
Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral’ Symphony completed a most enjoyable afternoon with one of Leamington’s most friendly and successful ensembles. I continue to admire the output by the wind section and first and second violins are as strong as I’ve heard them.
Enjoying himself as much as anyone, Anthony Corbett (timpani) put every effort into the allegro ‘storm’ movement to great effect.
Clive Peacock
January 2013
Beauchamp chose Sibelius for their 2013 debut. And what a good choice – Finlandia followed by Lemminkäinen’s Return. Seldom, if ever, have I heard a more enthusiastically delivered performance; simply magnificent brass and percussion contributions. Roger Coull is a very engaging conductor and took responsibility for leading and playing Bach’s Violin Concerto No 1. The way he phrases things in both the conductor role and as soloist is a fine skill.
Brass and percussion returned after the interval for a rousing performance of Dvorak’s Symphony No 8 with its precipitous ending. Fortunately nothing serious fell away or off during the gorgeous Slavonic folk song interpretations and waltz-like third movement. Beauchamp are in good shape at present, although the cellos and double basses require strengthening. An exciting year is ahead.
Clive Peacock.
Beauchamp Sinfonietta Concert
Creative programming, excellent winds and a stunning violin soloist are ingredients of yet another Beauchamp success at Leamington Town Hall.
The orchestra's tribute to Benjamin Britten during this year's celebration of 100 years since his birth included Arvo Part's Cantus and Britten's Suite on English Folk Tunes with Emma Williams delivering a first class oboe contribution. The remarkable Simon Smith joined the orchestra to play Mozart's Violin Concerto No 5 with the gorgeous tone from his Rogeri 1708 violin delivering excellent cadenzas.
Beauchamp enjoys a full orchestra contribution with lots of fortissimo. However there was a danger of the timpani overdoing things. Overall a very good start to the season.
Brimming emotion in expressive Leamington concert
Beauchamp Sinfonietta concert, Leamington Town Hall, April 28.
There’s no shortage of fine recordings of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A. However, a live performance at the town hall by the outstanding Neil Aston lifts the spirits of the loyal Beauchamp audience.
That middle movement, adagio, brings a tear to the eye of many – it is such an expressive movement with masses of brimming emotion.
Aston plays a basset clarinet – created using ebonite from China and using US skills for the finishing touches. His sparkling rondo brought a memorable performance to an end.
Beauchamp opened up with Hindemith’s overture, Amor and Psyche, at times putting leader Sue Meteyard, playing solo violin, in direct competition with trombones and other brass. She held her own.
Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral’ Symphony completed a most enjoyable afternoon with one of Leamington’s most friendly and successful ensembles. I continue to admire the output by the wind section and first and second violins are as strong as I’ve heard them.
Enjoying himself as much as anyone, Anthony Corbett (timpani) put every effort into the allegro ‘storm’ movement to great effect.
Clive Peacock
January 2013
Beauchamp chose Sibelius for their 2013 debut. And what a good choice – Finlandia followed by Lemminkäinen’s Return. Seldom, if ever, have I heard a more enthusiastically delivered performance; simply magnificent brass and percussion contributions. Roger Coull is a very engaging conductor and took responsibility for leading and playing Bach’s Violin Concerto No 1. The way he phrases things in both the conductor role and as soloist is a fine skill.
Brass and percussion returned after the interval for a rousing performance of Dvorak’s Symphony No 8 with its precipitous ending. Fortunately nothing serious fell away or off during the gorgeous Slavonic folk song interpretations and waltz-like third movement. Beauchamp are in good shape at present, although the cellos and double basses require strengthening. An exciting year is ahead.
Clive Peacock.
