Symphony Orchestra’s concert in tune with events in Ukraine
Beginning its third concert of the season with the Ukrainian national anthem was a moving gesture of solidarity from the musicians of Scarborough Symphny Orchestera to the people of the Ukraine. Thie stirring music set the tone for the rest of the evening at Queen Street Methodist Central Hall, writes Andrew Carter.
First on the programme was Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. At the time of its first performance nothing on this scale had been heard before on the violin.
So there were some surprises in store for the audience on. First of all, it was unusual to see the soloist Benedict Holland, play along with the first violins during the orchestral introduction.
When the solo violin entered with those famous rising octaves, the sound took a little getting used to: this was not heroic Beethoven but something sweet and gentle, technically brilliant but understated.
The orchestra responded with admirable sensitivity in accompaniment but seemed a little cowed when it came to its own big tunes.
The larghetto was dreamy and introverted, chamber rather than symphonic music, but no less appealing for that, the orchestral phrasing beautifully shaped and balanced by Shaun Matthew.
The last movement’s rocking dance rhythms were light on their feet and there was a lot of joy and fun as it spun to its conclusion!
The performance of Sibelius’ Second Symphony after the interval was magnificent, the echoes of the current situation in Europe inescapable.
The first movement starts lyrically enough but is soon full of anxiety and menace, played out with enormous conviction by the sections of the orchestra.
The despair reaches even greater depths in the slow movement and there were chilling moments of lament and fury from the bassoons and the brass.
The difficult third movement was taken steadily but had lots of energy as it built towards the triumph of the finale.
This is one of the great experiences in music for both players and audience, and the Scarborough orchestra more than lived up to the occasion.
It was a thrilling end to the evening and, as Sibelius intended, a glorious affirmation of the human spirit.