The Loughborough Orchestra returned with a strong programme on 20 Jan, at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough – its last concert with Trevor Lax in sole charge. First, Weber’s Der Freischütz Overture, where the classical gives way for the romantic era in opera, a piece Loughborough Orchestra realised well, with its calm, majestic start, unfolding drama where magic, danger and romance intersect, and confident conclusion.
Then came Smetana’s wonderfully evocative picture of the river Vltava, from his Ma Vlast. The woodwind’s bubbling start was particularly effective, preparing us for the big tune. A piece full of lovely colours, well captured.
For Richard Strauss’ 1st Horn Concerto, we were treated to something special, a 17-year-old of the National Youth Orchestra, Claire Marsden, playing the piece from memory – with strength, clarity, and a lyrical quality. The Orchestra was also on form, very expressive in the closing of the first movement. The second movement, with its haunting chords, showed orchestra and soloist well matched; and in the final movement, Claire showed her virtuosic skills, while showing passion and feeling.
After the interval, the Orchestra treated us to a fine performance of Dvořak’s 8th Symphony, starting with the ebb and flow from the early minor theme through the cheerful major passages of the opening movement. The slow movement, a masterclass in orchestration, gave plenty of opportunity for different groups of instruments expressing the part brooding, part flowing moods of the piece. A valse triste followed with folk-like charm, and plenty of movement, especially for the cellos, who handled it well. The finale, variations, fizzing with energy, gave us a glorious conclusion to a great evening.
Anthony Thacker