Influence Church, Richmond

RICHMONDSHIRE Subscription Concerts began the season with a larger ensemble than usual. Cleveland Chamber orchestra, directed by Tim Jackson, with one of this county’s leading clarinettist’s, Emma Johnson, as soloist drew an almost capacity house.

Mozart’s Ballet Music from Idomineo, K. 367 and its original opera, all too rarely heard today, made for a clear-cut opening.

Gerald Finzi’s Clarinet Concerto op. 31, composed in 1949, proved an ideal platform for Johnson, with its edgy opening movement’s brilliant cadenza. The haunted flavours of the central adagio were warm and evocative, while the final rondo sparkled with gaiety.

Edward German’s music may be out of fashion today, reflecting the early decades of the last century with flavours of Ye Olde England, but the cheerful tunefulness in his Romance and Andante & Tarantella were despatched with elan and engaging style by both orchestra and soloist. The final tarantella was given a reprise in response to audience reaction.

The evening ended with a lively account of Mozart’s Linz Symphony no 26. K. 425.

The same programme was performed the following afternoon in the new concert hall of Yarm School.

The next concert is on Saturday, November 17, when cellist Richard Jenkinson and pianist Ben Frith play Stravinsky, Brahms, Schumann and Rachmaninov. Details are on richmondshireconcerts.co.uk or email nicholas@reckert.com to be added to the mailing list.