Schubert's Unfinished Symphony - finished
A near full house welcomed the Rutland Sinfonia under its Associate Conductor David Calow and guest speaker Professor Brian Newbould on Saturday evening at Oakham School Chapel for a concert devoted to the music of Schubert.
This was a quintessential Sinfonia concert, given in the orchestra's 30 year tradition of performing superb music that is heard far less frequently than is merited.
Both the first and second halves of the concert were preceded by an insightful introduction to the music by the world-renowned Schubert Scholar, Prof Brian Newbould.
The first part of the concert presented the overture and incidental music to "Rosamunde, Princes of Cyprus".
Whilst the overture is well-known, we were treated to the entr'actes, ballet music and the "Shepherd's Melody", the latter effectively and unusually scored for wind sextet.
The second part of the concert consisted of Symphony No 8 in B minor, the "Unfinished", only with the added twist of movements 3 and 4!
The 3rd movement has been realised by Prof Newbould, based on a surprisingly large amount of material that Schubert had intended to use.
The 4th movement finale utilises an entr'acte in B minor from Rosamunde.
Too often, such realisations of composer's intentions can sound unconvincing; however, David Calow's interpretation was both highly thoughtful and extremely well-directed and the orchestra rose magnificently to the challenge of presenting this work as a full four movement symphony.
They played with real conviction throughout and the "Unfinished" symphony deserves to be heard more widely in this form.
The programme gave ample opportunity for all sections of the orchestra to shine.
There were tellingly drawn-out lines in the string section and some fine solo playing from the woodwind principals in the delightful music to Rosamunde and in the symphony.
David Calow made the most of Schubert's innovative use of the trombones, and there were some extraordinarily intense moments in the symphony.
Prof Newbould stated after the concert: 'Congratulations to the orchestra.
They achieved remarkably high standards, and it was an occasion to enjoy.
It was also a pleasure to talk to some of the orchestra's members and its audience.'
A final word: pre-concert introductions have an element of risk attached; however, Prof Newbould was at the same time erudite, entertaining and concise.
His insights into the music were a pleasure to hear and much appreciated by audience and performers alike.
This orchestra presents exciting and entertaining programmes of music; look out for them.
Kristi Newton & Andy Cotton
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Stamford
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
