Great Scot Archive
Issues from 1998
Issues from 1998
 
 
 
 

Publications

Concerto Concert

Concerto Concert

The annual Concerto Concert took place on Sunday, 19 June in the Ian Roach Hall. This concert is one of the biggest concerts given by the orchestra. It included a most enjoyable performance of the Weber Bassoon Concerto, with Edwin Chow, LMusA, as the soloist. Edwin displayed musical maturity coupled with sensitivity and dexterity, and delighted the audience with this slightly quirky and jaunty work from that operatic composer.

The other concerto was the ever popular A Minor Piano Concerto by Grieg. Oliver Blake, Dip ABRSM was the soloist. Known more for his prowess as a percussionist and as an oboist, our somewhat larrikin Captain of Music displayed drama, security and a real sense of energy in his interpretation of the work. The cadenza was particularly impressive – full of flair and passion. The orchestra responded superbly, and the real essence of the work was conveyed with conviction. Matthew Ng, AMusA, is in Year 11, is principal viola in the orchestra, a fine pianist, and a particularly prolific composer. His Quartet for Clarinet, Piano and Strings was performed by Johnson Yu, AMusA (Clarinet) with Christopher Woo (violin), Myles Chen (cello) and the composer at the piano. A work of considerable complexity and sophistication, it is arguably the most mature writing I have heard from a student of his age. Other movements from the same work delighted the audience in Belgium in January, and I look forward to hearing his Fantasy for Piano, Two Horns and Two Violins at the Chamber Music Dinner. The final work of the program was Brahms’ 2nd Symphony.

The orchestra managed the work with considerable stylistic understanding, and coped effectively with the technical demands. Particularly notable was the famous long horn solo at the end of the first movement, played beautifully by Mond Qu.

John Ferguson
Director of Music

Updated: Monday 24 June 2013