Spring Concert Full of Contrasts

St. Mark's Church, 8th February 2023

(Published in Harrogate Advertiser 20th February)

Harrogate's Philharmonic Orchestra, under its Conductor, George Kennaway was on sparkling form for its spring concert in St Mark's Church. The Guest Leader, Jessica Tomey led with spirited enthusiasm, this being, the writer understands, her first leadership role.

The programme opened with a performance of a relatively little-known work which was being given its first performance in North Yorkshire. The Suite in the Ancient Style by Alberic Magnard, consisting of several contrasting movements, was first performed in 1890, the contrapuntal style, fashionable in Paris at the time now seems rather heavy and dated, but once the orchestra settled in, there was sparkling playing from the woodwind and brass and sonorous sounds from the strings especially in the reflective movements. The work ended with a spirited neatly played but technically tricky Gigue.

There then followed the Sinfonietta Opus 5/48 by Prokofiev, another relatively unheard composition, which is a pity as, demonstrated splendidly by the Orchestra the work has many attractive features. The woodwind featured strongly throughout but the whole ensemble blended so well under the careful control of George Kennaway who nursed his players with great sensitivity.

The second half of the evening was devoted to one work, Haydn's 99th Symphony in E flat. Here, the large and appreciative audience must have felt more on home ground. The Orchestra attacked the excitement of the first movement with confidence and great verve. The serenity of the second movement warmly announced by the strings was very charming with woodwind and horns joining the ensemble later. The Minuet and Trio were very elegantly played and the jolly rushings of the exciting final movement brought the concert to a happy end. Thank you to the Conductor and his orchestral team for an unusual but very attractive evening of music.

By Adrian Selway, The Harrogate Advertiser