An evening of exciting music by HPO

St. Aidan's Cof E High School, 19th October 2019

The warm and welcoming interior of the Constance Green Hall at St Aidan's School, in distinct contrast to the bleak autumnal feel of the weather outside, was the ideal venue for the Autumn Concert on Saturday last, by the Harrogate Philharmonic Orchestra under their Leader Nadiia Ivkovs and Conductor George Kennaway and with Soloist Olivia Robinson, Saxophone. The programme largely comprised music of the early Twentieth Century, a most interesting period of musical composition.

The first item was Le Boeuff sur le Toit, The Ox on the Roof, by Darius Milhaud, a piece which takes its name from a Brazilian song and which gave its name to a cafe bar in Paris frequented by many, many Avant Garde musicians and artists of the day. George Kennaway helpfully introduced the audience to the dissonant style of the music before the actual performance. This is a quirky piece of theatre music, well played and thoroughly enjoyed by both the orchestra and the audience. Next came two of Eric Saties's well known Gymnopedies in the popular arrangement by Debussy. The orchestra played with great sensitivity the oboe solo being exceptionally well-played by Gillian Hart.

The first half ended with a performance of Scaramouche also composed by Milhaud in an arrangement for saxophone and orchestra by the composer himself. Olivia Robinson, saxophone, gave a superb performance of this incredibly energetic piece of thrilling music. As an encore, Olivia displayed her virtuosic talents in Pam and Jim, Jim and Pam by Fitkin.

Following the interval, the Harrogate Philharmonic played The Watermill, an effective and descriptive piece by Ronald Binge and the concert ended with Serenade in D major by Novak. With thoroughly solid and musical playing, George Kennaway and the Harrogate Philharmonic Orchestra with Olivia Robinson presented a splendid evening of exciting music.

By Adrian Selway

Published in Harrogate Advertiser 24th October 2022