Pastoral Suite Opus 19: Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra - St Andrew's Church, Cheltenham

Monday 8th February 2010

Pastoral Suite Opus 19, a lyric suite by Lars-Erik Larsson, contains many Sibelian influences with wintery Nordic harmonies which Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra evoked to the full. Romance, for strings alone, throbbed and flowed to the final lively and steadily rhythmic scherzo movement.

Buzzing chatter of Athenian lawyers in ancient Greece in Vaughan Williams' The Wasps lacked punch and pace but the orchestra brought an assertive grandeur to the broad melody section.

In Haydn's Symphony No 103, not only did the orchestra give an excellent performance but George Ewart's solo violin section was confidently played.

Throughout the concert, Jonathan Trim's conducting was clear, incisive and always direct.

Local violinist Therese de Souza displayed her youthful talent in Saint-Saens’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso.

With beguiling tone the violin drew us into a spell before beginning its acrobatic agility. Therese elicited the innate Spanish influence of the music with the sultry, sexy, slower sections contrasting with the fancy fingerwork.

However, although perfectly played, it lacked the flamboyance this work induces.

Exquisite unaccompanied playing in Vaughan Williams' The Lark Ascending created an atmosphere within the church of absolute stillness.

Gentle smooth playing depicted the lark soaring, fluttering and parachuting on the wing.

A wonderfully restrained orchestral accompaniment faded as the violin completed its solitary flight in a breathtaking performance.

Jill Bacon