RAMSBOTTOM RECORDED MUSIC SOCIETY

AT last Thursday’s society meeting our good friend and member Barbara Atkin presented a programme entitled ‘Another evening with B’, the sequel to a programme Barbara had presented in February 2016 where the connecting theme was that either the music’s title, composer, or performer, began with the letter ‘B’.

Barbara began her programme with an extract from Berlioz’s ‘Te Deum’ which demonstrated the composer’s use of a grand ceremonial style.

Next we heard the anthem ‘Arise O Lord’, composed by William Byrd in around 1570, which was based on some verses from Psalm 44.

This was followed by a piece entitled ‘Sonata No4’ by Antonio Bertali, a composer at the 17th Viennese court.

Barbara then jumped a couple of centuries to play music by Bela Bartok, who was our first double B!

Written in 1937, ‘Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste’ is one of Bartok’s most unorthodox, complicated and demanding works.

From it we heard the second part, the ‘Allegro’.

Next we had our only quadruple B of the programme – music composed by Brahms, in the key of ‘B flat major’, played by Wilhelm Backhaus, and conducted by Karl Bohm.

The ‘2nd Piano Concerto’ is one of the longest 19th century piano concertos, whose popularity has never waned, and from it we heard the second movement, the ‘Allegro Appassionato’.

To end the first half of her programme Barbara played the first movement of Bruckner’s 8th Symphony, which Bruckner himself regarded as his finest.

Music by the American composer Samuel Barber opened the second half – his famous ‘Adagio for Strings’ played by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Vincenzo Bellini’s masterpiece is the opera ‘Norma’ which has given some of the world’s greatest sopranos their chance to excel.

From it we heard Maria Callas singing the famous aria ‘Casta Diva’.

Next, Barbara played music by Luigi Boccherini, a contemporary of Haydn, producing music possessing a similar classical elegance. Although not as well- known today, he was a highly successful cellist and prolific composer of chamber music.

So we have our first treble B as the English Chamber orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim, play the ‘Adagio’ from Boccherini’s Cello Concerto in B Flat, with Jacqueline du Pre as the soloist.

To end her programme Barbara chose that ever popular piece ‘Bolero’ by Ravel, played by the LSO conducted by Claudio Abbado.

Some monumental works, with top class performers, and fine recording contributed to a wonderful evening of music for everyone.

The next meeting is on Thursday, November 30 and for further details please contact Richard Hall on 01706 823490.

New members are always welcome.