The Solent Concert Orchestra performed serenades, waltzes and a symphony at St Michael & All Angels Church in Lyndhurst

The Solent Concert Orchestra recently performed a programme of serenades, waltzes and a symphony at St Michael & All Angels Church in Lyndhurst under the baton of their musical director, Simon Wilkins.

The concert got off to a joyous start with the Strauss waltz Voices of Spring, followed by Ralph Vaughan William’s Prelude based on the beautiful and moving Welsh hymn Rhosymedre.

Flautist Isabella Stocchetti then took over the baton to conduct the woodwind and brass sections of the orchestra in Memories of Dvorak. This compilation included pieces from his New World Symphony No.9, Slavonic Dances and the catchy Humoresque.

The orchestra’s string section, not to be outdone, showed off its ability to the full with an excellent interpretation of Elgar’s Serenade for Strings, which captured most sensitively the alternating melodic swells and gentle phrases.

The first half concluded with Borodin’s Steppes of Central Asia, a musical picture of a caravan approaching and then slowly disappearing into the vast distance of the desert.

The second half of the concert was devoted to a lesser known composer, namely Louise Farrenc. The orchestra played her Symphony No.1 in C minor.

It was demanding both physically and musically but the rendition was of the highest order. There were glimpses of Beethoven in the first movement and of Schumann in the finale. The prolonged and loud applause of the audience was proof of a very successful concert, once again attended by the orchestra’s loyal patrons, Sir Julian and Lady Fiona Lewis.

The Solent Concert Orchestra’s next concert is at Bramshaw Village Hall on Saturday 14th June, with a varied programme of popular and well-known musical pieces. More details are available at: www.solentconcertorchestra.org.uk

Howard Moore