Snowman and its conductor cast a spell on young and old

Iwas once accused of Grinch-like feelings regarding the annual screening of the Snowman at the RSNO’S Christmas concert in Dundee.

I responded by saying that my philosophy would change when accompanied by my granddaughter Amy – and it’s true. Having a child with you gives the experience a whole new perspective.

Whereas Howard Blake’s wellloved and much-screened classic enjoys rapt attention for the children in the Caird Hall audience – and of the 1,800 or so in the hall there was a high proportion – this attention-seeking has to continue throughout the concert.

While the audience could join in with Mary Had A Baby and with the RSNO Junior Chorus presenting three well-performed carols, the first part of the second half seemed a bit flat. In fact, it wasn’t until the Skater’s Waltz and the Penguin Song later on in the programme when the fun and games started.

The instigator of the mischief and merry-making – conductor Christopher Bell. For cajoling, persuading and getting-folk-out-oftheir comfort-zoning, he is second to none.

This was his last appearance with the orchestra in Dundee before taking up a new role in the United States. His shoes are going to be hard to fill as it is hard to imagine anyone else in that capacity.

The Penguin Song is a prime example of Bell’s infectious enthusiasm, getting the most staid of concert-goers to undergo some crazy antics.

He even has the orchestra at it, with the trombone and tuba sections impersonating penguins, dressed in dinner suits, dicky bows and false noses.

This format – Snowman and so on – has run unchallenged since 2002 and while I once advocated a change, I have to admit that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.