Exeter Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert

Our March concert has much to appeal to all music lovers. As those of you who regularly attend our concerts know we do try to explore quite a range of music and these next two concerts are no exception.

The opening work is Mozart’s great Symphony no 40 in G minor – a key that draws great passion and dark colour from the composer to whom keys were a great source of contrast and meaning. Relentless ostinato figures, insistent melodic figures and strong surging melodies. It needs no introduction from me – just a great way to start a gig.

We really enjoy our overall principle of welcoming young and upcoming players/singers to be soloists, with the occasional visit from a more established one – and they never fail to give great performances and play with colour and dedication. Tonight’s soloist represents the range – from the established and world famous violinist Tasmin Little last November 2010 to Marie Langrishe in this concert – just starting out on her musical career but already well known by local audiences, as a violinist, by music lovers here in Exeter while at The Maynard School. She brings with her one of the greatly loved concerti – the Bruch in G minor – I need say no more.

We started a pattern of exploring great 20th century symphonies with Sibelius 5 last March, and this March it is that long awaited 1st Symphony by Sir William Walton of ‘Belshazzar’s Feast’ fame. It took him three years to compose but the result was greeted triumphantly by critics and audience alike – tuneful, strong, contrasted and scored for a large orchestra – for those of you who know it you will need no persuading to listen again. If you haven’t heard it – come and be amazed at this superb work.