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LATEST REVIEW

 

AN AMERICAN IN SCARBOROUGH

Review of 23rd November 2024 Concert - by Paul Nash

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We were treated to an American theme for tonight’s season opener, and the packed house in Queen Street Methodist Hall certainly appreciated the fantastic programme put together by the Scarborough Symphony’s own Shaun Matthew, who, as they might say in America, conducted up a storm!

For the first piece however, we were transported to Paris in the roaring 20s, Gershwin’s ‘American in Paris’, the full-length version of his famous ‘tone poem’ conveying us to the famous streets and boulevards in the eyes of a slightly tipsy American tourist drunk on the sights, sounds and smells of the French capital. It begins with a cacophony of sounds including taxi horns and street music from café’s as we wander the city before we are introduced to Gershwin’s fabulous lilting melody which is featured throughout, played beautifully by the orchestra in its many varied forms, and the brass and woodwind, just excellent. Special mention must go to Richard Wood on the trumpet who evoked the jazzy bustle of the Parisian era perfectly with some stunning solos.

Highlight of the evening had to be the incredible opportunity to see the world renowned American born Tai Murray play Mendelssohn’s Violin concerto in E minor, backed passionately by the orchestra who really upped their game for this. I haven’t enough superlatives for this virtuoso performance, technically superb, delicately charming yet powerful at the same time, she really wowed the crowd, not least Shaun who had a huge smile on his face throughout. Just sublime.

For the second half we were immersed fully in New York, Harlem to be specific, with two pieces by James P Johnson. Personally, I had not had the pleasure of knowing his work, but I had certainly heard the first of the two pieces many times; The Charleston. A full orchestral version of that toe-tapping tune from the 20s that was a ‘round the world’ smash. Boppy ragtime and swing rhythms worked underneath the famous top line melody and of course you couldn’t not have someone doing the famous dance, and so we were treated to a fantastic performance while the orchestra played, where did all that energy come from!

Harlem Symphony was our concert closer – four movements evoking the sights and sounds of New York, the first taking us on a subway ride through various neighbourhoods immersing us in the big apple. The second slow movement was a joy of beautifully played melodies, the string section was full and lush with some gorgeous trumpet and trombone taking the lead. For the third we were tapping our feet in the ‘Night Club’, swinging ragtime melodies played brilliantly by the woodwinds and brass putting a smile on everyone’s faces. The final movement based on a Negro spiritual was a powerful lament building throughout to the final unexpected major chord leaving the audience on a joyous high.

The orchestra just gets better and better, a fantastic performance all round, a great evening of music.

Don’t miss the next one, get your tickets early, I predict a sell-out!

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