MUSIC IN ACTION - WITH THE ENGLISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Who would expect a concert in Trinity College Chapel to be quite so exciting, glamorous and unusual?. Often host to some heavyweight composers of the past, Music in Action produced the English Chamber Orchestra there with a concert so bright and original it truly broke the mould. The dynamic charity devoted to underprivileged children scored with a sensational concert in the impressive but gloomy ancient venue.
The English Chamber Orchestra were responsible. Its sheer mastery of the music they play holds the attention in an iron grip - or a close embrace- from beginning to end. The solid Renaissance piece by John Eccles - Mad Lover's Aire was a cautious way in, but followed by Vaughan Williams - The Lark Ascending performed by the gorgeous star of the evening Harriet Mackenzie managed to wring the joy from this much known piece.Ofer Falk was a supply leader, it ws like being born again to this so -loved composer.
A special piece was Cecilia McDowall (new commission) - "Love Through the Seasons" a thrilling new experience. ‘Imagine” said one listener afterwards “ if you’d been able to go and talk to Brahms or Beethoven after one of their masterpieces - and here we are with this contemporary composer.”
Harriet Mackenzie summed up the new music ( there was also a dreamy piece byAriel Pirotti also new commission- - "Autumn” , when she remarked to me “ Modern music can be so enjoyable , we are over the days when something contemporary had to mean difficult and atonal” So right , these pieces especial Cecilia’s - wha t a name for a new composer- especially.
All this lyrical loveliness - and glamour from all the members of the famous ensemble, is in support of Music in Action, whose director made a brief but moving speech about their work with difficult children in schools who often find themselves after learning an instrument - something they could simply not do thou the support of this generous imaginative organisation. Look out for their next appearance in Cambridge
