Kew Sinfonia celebrated their 20th birthday and Mozart's 250th anniversary at St Anne's Church in Kew Green last Saturday night. Their attractive programme showed panache, humour and grandeur.
It was a delight on a hot and sticky night to be in the beautiful surroundings of this Queen Anne Church and hear the cool and seductive tones of the Ravel, Mother Goose Suite', hover and float in the air.
The wood-wind, particularly the oboe of Emma Tingey, were most persuasive, evoking the characters of the Fairy Tales with charm. The colour and delicacy of the orchestration was realised by the conductor, Orlando Jopling.
Perhaps for want of occasion or the heavy demands of balance on both orchestra and soloist, William Walton's A Song for the Lord Mayor's Table', is seldom heard, but shows him in full creative flight. Jane Gregson, the soprano soloist, had many parts to play in these songs. The most successful was that of Molly in Wapping Old Stairs', berating her faithless lover in suitable Cockney twang.
The Jupiter' Symphony of Mozart displayed passion in the commitment of the musicians to which the large audience responded with enthusiasm. Wind and brass were majestic in their striding counterpoint and strings attacked and soared to good effect. It was a powerful performance.
Sally Mays
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article