Society’s concert proves to be an evening of crowning glories

I have heard many orchestras and choirs who epitomise the ethos of amateur performance and are enthusiastic, skilled and extremely well-schooled, writes Garry Fraser.

The Anstruther Philharmonic Society is no exception as its concert on Saturday night in the Parish Church showed quite clearly.

Not only was the performance extremely enjoyable but the programme was also well-crafted, with Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven followed by Hummel. Quite fitting chronologically, as the latter was influenced by the other three masters, to a considerable extent.

The opening Haydn Te Deum made the ideal start, a work full of life and vivacity as befitting a work that praises the almighty.

The orchestra then took over for a Mozart symphony that manifested all the qualities of a highly-disciplined ensemble, with conductor Robert Dick’s attention to detail clearly evident.

The strings, all nine of them, shone particularly on the Andantino but the overall balance was excellent and while I expected a full-blown exuberant closure, Mozart’s understated ending was a pleasant surprise.

Then came the first of the evening’s crowning glories, Beethoven’s concert aria Ah! Perfido. Not the work itself, but the performance of soprano Janet de Vigne. She was magnificent to say the least, delivering a marvellous rollercoaster of emotions while maintaining a high level of excellence.

Hummel’s Mass in D ended the concert and what a delight it was. This version by the AFS catapulted it to the “must hear again” category.