Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra presented it’s summer concert at All Saints Parish Church on Sunday 28 June, and Geoffrey Mogridge was in the audience.
“An enthused audience filled the 14th century nave of All Saints for this concert. The main doors remained open for air circulation on this breezy post-heatwave afternoon.
Engelbert Humperdinck’s Overture to Hansel and Gretel opened a programme, mainly themed around myths and fairy tales. Splendid work from the 45 players of Ilkley Philharmonic, led by Sally Robinson and conducted by John Anderson. The burnished horns deserve special mention.
And now for something completely different: the Oboe Concerto in A minor, composed 1943-44 by Ralph Vaughan Williams for solo oboe and orchestra strings, produced an invigorating sonic backdrop. American oboist, Leila Kizar, was the insightful soloist who displayed the agility and rich tone colours of her instrument. Vaughan Williams’ skilfully crafted harmonised accompaniment was beautifully realised by the orchestra strings.
Two excerpts from Edvard Greig’s music for Peer Gynt ended the first half. The atmospheric Morning, in which horns and woodwind again distinguished themselves, was inevitably eclipsed by the crowd pleasing Hall of the Mountain King.
Maurice Ravel’s magical Mother Goose would have benefitted from more delicate shading of dynamics: from softer pianissimos - probably the most challenging sound level for an amateur orchestra to achieve - to a climatic double forte in the magical, shimmering Fairy Garden. Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by John Anderson played the Suite No 1 from Ravel’s enchanting score, whose inner movements comprised Tom Thumb, Empress of the Pagodas, Beauty and the Beast.
Sleeping Beauty is the longest of Tchaikovsky’s three great symphonic ballet scores. John Anderson and the Ilkley Philharmonic ended their concert with a suite of the best known excerpts. The explosive Introduction, with heavy brass reinforcements (4 horns, 3 trombones, 2 trumpets, 1 tuba) was followed by the Lilac Fairy theme. Then came the glorious Rose Adagio, with glittering harp cadenza played by Georgina Wells. The suite continued with the expansive Panorama and came to a blazing climax with the famous Waltz.
John and his orchestra took their bows in response to rapturous applause.”
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