Brilliant, dramatic and unusual concert
SCARBOROUGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, QUEEN STREET METHODIST CENTRAL HALL Frank James
There was a record audience at Queen Street Methodist Hall for the concert given by Scarborough Symphony Orchestra.
The programme opened with Haydn’s Symphony No.104, his last, written and first performed on his visit to London in 1795; the composer’s quirky touches were underlined by the orchestra.
The second half of the concert was devoted to Beethoven’s lesser-known 2nd Symphony. It is am impressive work, full of Beethoven’s sudden changes of dynamics and unexpected harmonies. The symphony was poorly received when first performed, being compared by one critic to the death agonies of a ‘hideously writhing wounded dragon’. All credit is due to the orchestra for tackling this challenging work and its conductor Shaun Matthew for steering them through it so convincingly.
The bouquet of the evening, though, went to young Jess Gillam, who played Heath’s Celtic Concerto on soprano saxophone brilliantly. The work was conceived during Heath’s time with the Scottish Ensemble during the 1990s, and the music reflects the folk music of the country. Last year she became the first saxophonist ever to win the Woodwind Final of the Young Musician of the Year. Jess, accompanied by the strings only, gave a dramatic performance of this unusual but approachable work.