We take our fun seriously!
On the evening of 2nd December, despite the cold weather, a substantial audience of around 200 attended Southport Orchestra’s concert at Emmanuel Church in Churchtown and were thoroughly entertained!
The orchestra conducted by the energetic and encouraging Jeff Rimmer and ably led by Joanna Munro began with a stirring performance of The Karelia Overture by Sibelius. This nuanced rendition perfectly brought out the insistent march rhythms and folk-song like melodies ending in a climax for the whole orchestra with the brass to the fore.
The orchestra then welcomed onto the stage Andrew Roberts as the soloist in Weber’s Clarinet Concerto no.1. This turned out to be the highlight of the evening as Andrew dealt superbly with the pyrotechnics of the opening movement, the lyricism of the slow movement and the technical demands of the Finale. The sensitive accompaniment of the orchestra only added to this triumph!
The occasion was made a family affair by Andrew’s wife and two daughters joining the orchestra for the evening. Andrew, accompanied by the strings, then provided the audience with an encore, an exuberant piece in klezmer style by Béla Kovács.
After the interval Jeff Rimmer then directed the orchestra in Max Bruch’s 3rd Symphony. This piece is not as well-known as some of the composer’s other works but on the strength of this performance it should be! The orchestra dealt well with the demands of the rousing 1st movement, the sustained lyricism of the 2ndwith its wind solos and the rhythmic complexities of the 3 rd. After a quiet start theFinale built up to a fortissimo climax to end the concert with rapturous applause!
Well done, Jeff! Well done, Andrew! And well done, Southport Orchestra!
Apart from a break each year in August Southport Orchestra rehearses every Tuesday evening at All Saints’ Church, Rawlinson Road, Southport PR9 9JR (entrance to the car park is in Park Road). We commence at 7-45 and finish at 10-00 with a welcome refreshment break. Whilst working hard we have lots of fun and new members who are confident players and willing to learn are always welcome. We are currently looking to expand our violin and brass sections. Those interested should telephone our Musical, Director Jeff Rimmer, on 07795 662245 for more information.
See our promo for last years concert below.
Mendelssohn - Hebrides Overture, Op. 26
Rachmaninov - Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 (with Tom Kimmance as piano soloist)
Dvorak - Symphony No. 5 in F major, Op. 76
At Christ Church, Lord St on March 23rd, 7.30 pm.
