Orchestra to spring into the new season
AN ORCHESTRA will perform two pieces to mark the end of Winter. Reading Youth Orchestra’s annual Spring Concert will include Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, and Bob Good’s Sinfonietta, Silver, which the group premiered in October.
The programme will also include a movement from a
Nonet by Farrenc, performed by guest players from the Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra.
The group’s music director
Mel Le Breuilly says: “Bob Good’s sinfonietta, or little symphony, was written especially for families to enjoy. It’s very pleasant to listen to and everyone will find something to like.
“It starts very serenely, with a tuneful melody. Then it becomes lively, rhythmic and upbeat, and the musical story gets bounced around all the instruments, before it finally ends peacefully.”
The group’s other item on the programme is a full symphony.
“It’s three years since we’ve played one, following the cancellation of our last symphony performance due to Covid,” says Mel. “Beethoven’s Fifth is probably one of the most famous of all orchestral symphonies.
“With a number of our senior members going to university in the autumn, we wanted to give them the opportunity to play it as part of a special goodbye.
“Most people will have heard the opening notes of the symphony: ba-ba-ba-baaaam.
“It’s such a powerful, exciting, dramatic and ominous piece of music.
“Rumour has it that Beethoven wrote it about Fate knocking on the door, which you can hear in those first four notes.
“It starts darkly, but ends in a triumphant major key.
“Beethoven carried the theme all the way through the symphony – he was one of the first composers to do so.
“He was a bit of a trailblazer.” Reading Youth Orchestra is a sone of the oldest youth orchestras in the UK, and has a long history of providing local students with a place to play music in a supportive environment.
“We’re always keen to take new musicians, and would love to hear from any budding players who want to come and join us,” says Mel.
Most young players are of secondary school or college age, and the equivalent of Grade 5 or above.
The orchestra’s Spring Concert takes place at St Joseph’s College, Reading, on Sunday, March 12. Doors open at 6pm, and tickets cost £10, £5 for children, or £20 for a family ticket.